Allegations that a Land Department employee abused his position and took over use of a sizeable Bidnija farm that is public property is being “investigated” by the government.
The employee in question, who belonged to one of the farming families in the area, allegedly took possession of the keys to the padlock of a gate at the entrance to the property and was regularly seen on the property together with his grandfather, the Times of Malta was told.
They have allegedly been busy working the land spread over 12 tumoli (close to 14,000 square metres). Bidnija is a prime site where such land has significant market value.
We will be investigating the people who could have been using the said premises
Several trucks were observed carrying rubble and building material to the site, which led to two reports being filed with the planning authority.
The law states that a tender must be issued before anyone could make use of the site. This was never done and sources told this newspaper the person in question gained access to the keys to the property by taking advantage of his employment at the Land Department, now called the Government Property Division.
A spokesman for the Planning Parliamentary Secretariat confirmed no rent was being paid to the government for use of the land, adding it would be investigating “the people who could have been using the said premises”.
The Land Department initially said the file (reference 1473/97) was “lost”. The Planning Parliamentary Secretariat made no comment. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said it would not be taking any action on the reports filed last month following a site inspection.
“In some of the surrounding fields, some fine aggregate was spread in parts of the fields. This is an agricultural practice, to alter soil properties and does not constitute development. Thus, no further action is required by Mepa,” a spokesman said.
The farmhouse is located in Triq il-Bidnija (limits of Mosta) corner with Triq tal-Ħżejjen (limits of St Paul’s Bay).
caroline.muscat@timesofmalta.com