Vince Cassar, to date the president of the Chamber of Architects, has been appointed chairman of Mepa. He was permanent secretary in the Works Ministry between 2004 and 2008, when he retired.
The other members of the board are Architect Franco Monesin and Architect Sandro Magro, who have a contract and have been retained and, as members, Paul Apap Bologna, director of an import company, Charlo' Camilleri from the Agriculture Department, Prof Victor Axiaq, an environmentalist and university lecturer, Ray Camilleri from the Lands Department, lawyer Veronique Dalli, financial consultant Matthew Pace, University lecturer Timothy Gambin, Joseph M Sammut representing the government, Alex Vella representing environment NGO, Angelle Zammit, director of a foreign company in Malta and Dr Ivan Tabone from Transport Malta.
The Opposition still has to nominate a member.
The government explained that the representative of the environment NGO was selected after the NGOs were invited to send a shortlist.
Architect Cassar will be involved in the process which will see the planning and environmental functions of Mepa be separated.