The country’s audit function was not yet sufficiently appreciated by those appointed to run authorities, Ralph Cassar, AD secretary general said.

In a statement he said that Alternattiva Demokratika had been observing for some time the government’s negative attitude towards auditing functions.

In the past this was manifested towards former Ombudsman Joe Sammut and it was now being done in respect of Mepa auditor Joe Falzon.

AD appealed to Mepa to start heeding its audit officer’s admonitions and to desist forthwith from justifying development of land at all costs.

This attitude was damaging to the environment and, in the long run, to the building industry itself, AD said.