I read with interest the article relating to the news that environmental NGOs are targeting architect Robert Musumeci for having an exceptional way of getting Mepa permits approved (June 18).

The attack by the NGOs follows their objections to Mepa granting a development permit for a villa in Baħrija valley, which permit was initially refused by the same authority.

The architect of the development is Mr Musumeci.

NGOs queried how he seems to have "extraordinary powers to have permits approved". Mr Musumeci acknowledged that he is "consistently successful with applications with Mepa" but attributed this to his "expertise and knowledge of planning procedures".

I have another word for the so-called "expertise and knowledge of planning procedures". It's called "loopholes". It appears to me that Mepa rules and planning procedures are riddled with loopholes. Everybody knows it. Mepa decisions are plagued with inconsistencies. The authority's alarm bells have been ringing for quite a while and Mepa became an electoral issue last year.

Last year Lawrence Gonzi assured us that Mepa would be reformed and took the authority under his wing soon after the election was won. One year on and we're still waiting for the reforms.

We have recently been informed that the reform process is almost concluded. One hopes that these loopholes - which have resulted in the utter destruction of our countryside - will be eliminated once and for all.

However, I am not so confident that the so-called reform will be as effective as one would expect. We have a situation where the people advising the government on Mepa reform may have a direct professional and commercial interest in real Mepa reform not happening.

Or at least in leading some loopholes unplugged.

In order to ensure that Mepa regains some shred of credibility, I call on the Prime Minister to discolose the names of the experts used in the drafting of the new Mepa policies and procedures. Transparency is key in ensuring that the Mepa reform takes off on the right foot.