The planning authority has concluded that there were no shortcomings in the conduct of its CEO Johann Buttigieg.
In a statement this afternoon, the authority said it conducted an investigation this morning and found that allegations about Mr Buttigieg put forward by environment NGO Din L-Art Ħelwa were false.
The organisation stated that there was a ‘conflict of interest between Mr Buttigieg's role and his personal involvement in the illegal development at San Blas.’
Mr Buttigieg confirmed to the board that Żebbiegħ Development Ltd and Ta’ Pinu Developments Ltd, in which he had shares, were closed or sold off quite some time before his appointment. A third company, in which his wife held a share, had not acquired any property since 2008.
Mepa also noted that a section of the media also reported that Mr Buttigieg had been seen at San Blas with developer Joseph Portelli. Later it was discovered that the allegation was unfounded.
The board has concluded that the information published in the newspaper (not Times of Malta) had been wrongly interpreted and reported.
DLĦ queried whether there was a conflict of interest between his role and his possible personal involvement in the construction business in the wake of the illegal development at San Blas in Gozo.
There is no direct relationship between the San Blas case and Mr Buttigieg but his wife Lorriane is listed as a shareholder in a development business closely related to Joseph Portelli – the Gozitan developer involved at San Blas.
When contacted by Times of Malta, Mr Buttigieg categorically denied any personal business interests in the industry, although he indirectly admitted his wife used to be involved in the construction business, at least until some time ago.
Asked to comment about his wife’s involvement, Mr Buttigieg said: “Two of the companies in question [in which his wife was involved] were closed or sold off quite some time ago, before my appointment, and the other hasn’t acquired any property since 2008.”
Ms Buttigieg is a major shareholder of the latter property development company, MMB Ltd, together with Adrian Buttigieg and Emmanuel Farrugia.
The two men are currently involved in a €20 million development, not in connection with MMB, in Żebbuġ, Gozo, together with Mr Portelli. Former parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca is also a shareholder in this business.
MMB Ltd was a major shareholder in Żebbiegħ Developments Ltd and Ta’ Pinu Developments Ltd, now struck off.
Mr Buttigieg has worked at Mepa for many years. First recruited as an enforcement officer he was then promoted to a senior planning officer in the unit responsible for major projects.
Soon after the Labour Party’s return to power in March 2013, Mr Buttigieg was appointed CEO and was described by then Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Mepa Michael Farrugia as “his point of reference”.