There seems to be no end to reports of Mepa’s incompetence and inadequacy.

The latest, at the time of writing, is of roadworks taking place on Comino without Mepa (or apparently anybody else – if one can believe that) noticing.

If a restaurant changes the wording of the sign outside its premises, the ‘environment and planning authority’ will descend upon it like a ton of bricks. But build a road on a “barren” island...

If somebody can extend a road on Comino, they could far more discreetly have built a house.

Then what would happen?

According to reports and letters published in this newspaper, there would likely be complaints or protests that Mepa would at first ignore.

When pressed, it would say that the developer must be allowed five years to complete the building before it can “consider” it.

Then, the very worst that can happen would be if Mepa declared the development “illegal”. No worries, though, because the developer – unimpressed by the pronouncements of this toothless tiger – would ignore that.

If the protesters have any clout, there might be an ‘official inquiry’, at which the developer, but not the protesters, would be allowed to express an opinion.

By this time, a house ‘illegally’ built on Comino would have been standing, and maybe occupied, for several years.

One gets the impression (surely unsound) that what happens next may depend on the political affiliation of the house owner.

Mepa could, in theory, order that the building be demolished.

The builder appeals...

The demolition order is put to one side.

And the developer’s brother-in-law, meanwhile, starts on another house.

I have been asking this question for a number of years: What is the point of Mepa? What is it for? What (apart from what I have listed here, which amounts to no action, no responsibility, no enforcement) does it do?