Some 50 new architects have been unable to practise because the group that issues their warrants has not functioned since the last election.
Although Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, who is responsible for the Warrants Board, is insisting it “has not been dissolved following the change of administration”, The Sunday Times of Malta is informed it last met before Labour came to power in March.
Chamber of Architects president Stephen Farrugia said the board was not functioning and that new warrants had been frozen.
He said that following the election all members of the warrants board were asked to resign and a new board had still not been appointed.
This is not on. It is not fair that warrants are not being issued
“This is not on. It is not fair that warrants are not being issued.
“We have been flooded with complaints by new architects but can’t do anything. The ministry needs to act on this,” Mr Farrugia said.
The government intends to introduce changes to the composition of the warrants board in order to strengthen its representation on it.
Through amendments already presented in Parliament, Mr Mizzi is proposing that the government is given the power to appoint two additional members, thus gaining a majority on this board.
At present, the board is made up of three members appointed by the government, including the chairman, and another four members: two appointed by the Chamber of Architects and another two elected from the profession.
Although discussions between the architects’ representatives and the Prime Minister have been held over the issue, and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat assured architects that he agreed with more self-regulation, Mr Farrugia said that Mr Mizzi still went ahead with his plan.
“We really can’t understand what is going on,” Mr Farrugia said.
“It is evident that the government wants more control on the warrants board even though we fail to understand the reason.”
However, a spokesman for Mr Mizzi denied this is the case.
“The government is planning to give the opportunity to academic and other technical bodies to have a representation on the Architects Warrants Board,” the spokesperson said.
According to the ministry, Mr Mizzi discussed the matter with representatives of the Chamber of Architects and “no adverse remarks on the proposal were made.”