Mepa did not live up to its statutory obligations in the Mercaptan issue as it did not take any action against Enemalta, Mepa's audit officer Joe Falzon has concluded.

He reached this conclusion in a report requested by Alternattiva Demokratika which was concluded this week and which AD published today.

Addressing a news conference in front of the offices of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in Floriana, AD general secretary Ralph Cassar AD believes there was collusion between the planning authority and Enemalta in the covering up the issue.

Mr Cassar said AD believed Mepa could have avoided the incident as it was aware very early in the day as a result of "informal" meetings that Enemalta was anxious to rid itself of the Mercaptan in its possession.

AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo thanked Mr Falzon, who, for more than eight years served the country as Mepa's audit officer.

"He carried out his responsibilities in very difficult circumstances in direct confrontation with an authority which for a number of years made it very difficult for him to act.

"In these circumstances, one has to not only have stamina but also to be a man of principle," he said.

AD, Mr Cacopardo said, welcomed the coming into force of the amendments to the Ombudsman Act which will strengthen the independence of Mr Falzon's successor.

AD congratulated architect David Pace on his appointment and pointed out that his performance would be gauged against that of Mr Falzon.

Mr Falzon's report on the Mercaptan case can be read in the pdf link below.