The last-minute invitation to consult on the MEPA demerger has been condemned by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar as a "cynical, lip-service pretence of public consultation". The 24-hour notice to study and comment on some 250 legal clauses does not even meet the EU minimum requirements which Malta is legally obliged to follow.
In a statement, FAA said it has always maintained that any changes at MEPA could only be considered if they strengthen the position of the Environment Directorate, which had been starved of staff, rendering it ineffectual and subservient to the Planning Directorate.
Even without an in-depth study, it is clearly apparent that the proposed demerger does the opposite, cutting the proposed Environment Authority out of the equation, and reducing it to just another entity to be consulted at the whim of the Planning Authority, as set out in Clause 36 (e): “any other supplementary member from the list of entities indicated in the Fourth Schedule who may be called in to attend meetings of the Executive Council at the discretion of the Executive Chairperson.”
Furthermore, the proposed demerger maintains the political stranglehold on Malta’s planning and environment: “The Executive Council may with the approval of the Minister appoint advisory boards and committees to assist it in the performance of its functions under this or any other law. The functions of the said boards and committees shall be prescribed by the Executive Council with the approval of the Minister.”
Control of Malta’s environment by politicians hiding behind the screen of MEPA has undermined Malta’s landscapes, heritage and quality of life for the last decades. The Zonqor case was the most recent example of this, leading to the eNGOs’ call for the resignation of the MEPA CEO due to political manipulation of his role. While the appointment of officials remains in the hands of any minister, no real progress will be made.
The feeble attempt to involve eNGOs in the demerger draft is a hollow gesture which reflects on government’s lack of respect for civil society. No amount of restructuring of MEPA will help until there is real political commitment to allow the genuine experts to regulate without political interference, in the interests of the Maltese public and future generations, FAA said.