Independent candidate Arnold Cassola filed a criminal complaint with the police asking them to "investigate and prosecute" the breach of environmental laws by Fredrick Azzopardi - the CEO of the roads agency, Infrastructure Malta.

The complaint refers to the unauthorised works carried out by Infrastructure Malta at Wied Qirda. where the country path was widened and tarmacked over, the topography of the valley changed and larger structures laid over the valley bed. All this was done without any permit in hand and without any approved method statement. 

Even though the Environment and Resources Authority issued a stop and compliance order last November, the works had continued and now Infrastructure Malta have filed an appeal from the stop and enforcement order.

"These actions are a breach of the Environment Protection Act. It is clear that there is an air of impunity when it comes to environmental crimes. It is inconceivable to see how a public official like Fredrick Azzopardi can authorise works in a protected valley which is a Special Area of Conservation without the required permits from ERA. This is the law of the bulldozer. He should be made to remedy the damage at his own expense, and not expect the taxpayer to pay for this environmental attack" said Cassola.