Mepa CEO Johann Buttigieg.

The CEO of the planning authority, Johann Buttigieg, has denied he has any personal business interests in the construction industry, following questions raised by environment NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa.

DLĦ queried whether there was a conflict of interest between his role and his possible personal involvement in the construction business in the wake of the illegal development at San Blas in Gozo.

There is no direct relationship between the San Blas case and Mr Buttigieg but his wife Lorriane is listed as a shareholder in a development business closely related to Joseph Portelli – the Gozitan developer involved at San Blas.

DLĦ said it appeared Mr Buttigieg had been directly involved in extensive property development and called on Mepa chairman Vince Cassar to confirm whether this was the case or not.

“It should be self-evident that the chief executive officer of a regulating authority and officials should not have financial interests in the sector which they are involved in regulating,” the NGO said.

When contacted, Mr Buttigieg categorically denied any personal business interests in the industry, although he indirectly admitted his wife used to be involved in the construction business, at least until some time ago.

Asked to comment about his wife’s involvement, Mr Buttigieg said: “Two of the companies in question [in which his wife was involved] were closed or sold off quite some time ago, before my appointment, and the other hasn’t acquired any property since 2008.”

Ms Buttigieg is a major shareholder of thelatter property development company, MMB Ltd, together with Adrian Buttigieg and Emmanuel Farrugia.

The two men are currently involved in a €20 million development, not in connection with MMB, in Żebbuġ, Gozo, together with Mr Portelli. Former parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca is also a shareholder in this business.

MMB Ltd was a major shareholder in Żebbiegħ Developments Ltd and Ta’ Pinu Developments Ltd, now struck off.

Mr Buttigieg has worked at Mepa for many years. First recruited as an enforcement officer he was then promoted to a senior planning officer in the unit responsible for major projects.

Soon after the Labour Party’s return to power in March 2013, Mr Buttigieg was appointed CEO and was described by then Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Mepa Michael Farrugia as “his point of reference”.