Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and the Ramblers’ Association of Malta wish to express publicly their great appreciation of the sterling work being done by the Mepa auditor, architect and university lecturer Joe Falzon.

In his recent report on a permit granted for building in the countryside, the auditor says of the DCC board that processes permits Outside the Development Zone: “If there was any need to prove that the DCC Board (Division A) was completely insensitive to the need to protect and enhance the unbuilt environment located outside development zones, the approval of this application is sufficient proof.” He follows this indictment with a note full of embittered scorn at the ungovernable and undisciplined board.

Some of the facts he denounces border on the incredible because of their sheer shamelessness. Mr Falzon bravely directs damning accusations at the DCC boards for granting permits that go against the authority’s own policies and in the face of the Mepa Planning Directorate’s recommendations to refuse them.

It is very worrying that this watchdog of a public institution paid out of public funds feels the need to write grave statements like: “It is difficult to deny the allegations that it issued an abnormal number of permits in ODZ weeks before the general election.”

It is indeed disturbing that the Mepa auditor has been censuring Mepa boards’ decisions practically since his appointment. Yet most of his words are ignored, year after year. Yes, the reform of Mepa is long overdue and environmental NGOs are seriously worried about more abusive permits being granted while the reform process drags on.

The environmental NGOs also highlight the fact that some of the architects involved in these cases come from our two main political parties. These architects routinely use Mepa’s sanctioning regulations to legalize abusive structures built without the necessary permits. Nor do they stop there: they then even proceed to apply for extensions to the original projects. We are entitled to expect more exemplary conduct from our political class.

FAA and RAM feel that the Authorities cannot continue to ignore these grave charges. They assure Mr Falzon of their unconditional support and yet again call for him to be granted the qualified staff he requires in order to carry out his courageous work in favour of the Maltese Islands and their people.

Astrid Vella

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar