The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) would like to clarify “a number of inaccuracies” that have been reported in the media over the past days related to the position of the Mepa Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar on private work he is entitled to undertake.

The recent appointment of Perit Vincent Cassar, unlike that of his predecessor, is that of a Chairman and not an Executive Chairman, meaning that the administration and day-to-day responsibilities in running the Authority fall under the remit of the Chief Executive Officer. This system was adopted with previous Mepa Chairpersons that were appointed to this post in previous years.          

Perit Vincent Cassar, who throughout most of his professional career served in the public sphere in various high profile roles, had only one pending planning application at Mepa when he took on the chairmanship role. Upon his appointment, Perit Cassar informed the applicant that he could no longer assume responsibility for the application.

Not being an Executive Chairman, Perit Cassar is allowed to carry on and undertake private work which does not potentially create a conflict of interest with his role as Chairman of Mepa. Perit Cassar has throughout his professional career, predominantly in the public sector, always acted ethically and with utmost integrity, Mepa said.