MEPA refers to the statement issued on 30 August 2006 in relation to the “Illegal dumping at Freeport”.

MEPA had said that: “Around May 2004, following a declaration by the applicant that he had engaged the professional services of Architect Joe Bugeja on other projects, MEPA did not accept Perit Bugeja on assignments related to this contract. Permits issued after this date are being inspected by MEPA officers”

The Authority wished to clarify the reason why Architect Joe Bugeja was no longer acceptable to MEPA to act as monitor in relation to the permits issued by it for the infilling of quarries with inert waste by Messers Polidano Brothers. This decision was taken since Polidano Brothers had informed Wasteserv that Perit Bugeja “…has been on our [Polidano] books…” since 1 April 2004. This was in breach of the monitoring agreement entered into between MEPA, Perit Bugeja, Wasteserv and Polidano Brothers.

Thus the statement that Perit Joe Bugeja “has been in our (Polidano) books..... since the 1 April 2004” referred solely to the issue of the modality of payment as “Monitor”.

This is the correct interpretation of the phrase “on other projects” referred to in MEPA’s Press Release of the 29th August, 2006.

The Authority does not endorse any other interpretation and any inconvenience is regretted

Public Relations Office

Malta Environment & Planning Authority