As from today, environment field inspectors will have the power to sanction developers and contractors who are in breach of the new Construction Site Management regulations.

However, in a meeting with the inspectors, Environment Minister George Pullicino urged them to use prudence and to guide constructors in the implementation of containment measures. The regulations are, in a nutshell, aimed at reducing dust in the air, dirt on the street, and unsightly buildings.

The 25 inspectors were formerly employed at the drydocks but were moved to MEPA as part of the restructuring process. Mr Pullicino said that first and foremost, the country needed to change the mentality of the way regulations were adhered to. “Sometimes it is easier to spend millions of liri to upgrade the environmental infrastructure than it is to change a person’s mentality,” he said.

He also said that it would be a challenge to change the way builders have practised their trade for 30 years. “We need you to encourage these people to stick to the regulations and you should guide them,” said Mr Pullicino.

Elaborating, he said: “If you go and find, for example, builders’ sand just left in a pile, you should give the builder say two days’ grace to get in line with the new regulations. If they comply, then let it be, that person will have learned. But if not, then sanction them,” he said.

Mr Pullicino said the government was in favour of development, but added that development must be carried out with the minimum possible impact on society. “We are not doing this to generate cash, we are doing it to improve people’s quality of life,” he said.

He said that Maltese builders were faced with another problem – that they build with large hunks of limestone. “That is another challenge and particularity that we have to bear in mind,” he said.

Mr Pullicino said that these regulations would be introduced gradually over the next two years to Malta and Gozo, but that they would be implemented for the first year in Sliema, St Julian’s, Marsalforn, Marsascala, Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Gzira, Swieqi, and Valletta. In addition, the regulations will cover large-scale projects – known as type A development. These include projects which have a footprint of more than 1,000 square metres, are taller than four-storeys and have a basement which is excavated to a depth of more than four metres.

Mr Pullicino said it was not all doom and gloom – adding that he had recently been shown photographs of various construction sites which showed that the constructors had really tried to conform to the regulations even though they were not yet in force. The public, he said, can contact MEPA, whether to file reports, or to simply obtain information, by calling on 2069-9595 or by emailing on csm@mepa. org.mt.