Nature Trust (Malta) has called for improved enforcement and said it welcomed the discussion prompted by the publication of the inquiry board on the Xemxija case and the willingness of the government and Mepa to listen to what has been said already many a time.

The NGO believes that enforcement is fundamental to planning and has over the last years called for improved enforcement as this was lacking and inconsistent.

“Volunteers from the NGO have for the past years scrutinised each and every application, submitting comments and suggestions, and contesting many a controversial decision and process.

“Many a time they have found the support and collaboration of Mepa enforcement officers, who are doing miracles despite the difficulties they face and the fact that the office is grossly understaffed and under-equipped for the size of the situation at present,” Nature Trust said.

However at other times enforcement had been let down by the system, the NGO said, adding that the report of the inquiry board “is only a peep into one much publicised case of lack of enforcement and is in reality the tip of the iceberg of a complex situation”.

The NGO said it believed that the enforcement system needs a thorough review and from the start, the reform should be focused on separating the regulatory and policy-making powers, currently both embodied in Mepa.