The Malta Developers Association has urged the government to conduct a thorough reform of the Land Department so that it will be in a position to carry out its obligations and give a good service to all citizens.

In a statement, the association referred to the controversy that arose due to the way the Government acquired part ownership of a property in Old Mint Street, Valletta.

It welcomed the Prime Minister’s declaration that, if something wrong emerged from investigations, the necessary decisions would be taken to remedy the situation.

"Despite all this, the MDA cannot but note the discriminatory way in which the Land Department has treated this case to the detriment of numerous citizens whose land has been expropriated by Government or requested to redeem their ground rent. These have been waiting for long years under numerous administrations to be granted their rights. This must be considered also in the light of the huge difficulties the ordinary citizen faces when he tries to find Government land to exchange with his property, which has been expropriated," the MDA said.

The MDA appealed to the government to conduct a thorough reform of the Land Department so that it would be in a position to carry out its obligations and give a good service to all citizens.