Labour calls on Prime Minister to investigate MEPA official

Labour's spokesman for the environment Leo Brincat called on the Prime Minister to investigate a high official within MEPA who allegedly threatened doctors at a health centre.

Several workers yesterday had to visit a health centre after foul smells returned to haunt Hexagon House. "Most of the workers were given a health certificate by the doctors as they were suffering from conditions resulting from the noxious smells," Brincat said.

He added that an official at MEPA allegedly called the health centre and threatened the doctors who issued the medical certificates.

"According to information we received, the official told the doctors that he would report them to the Health Superintendent and ask him to investigate them one by one if they continue issuing the health certificates," he said.

Brincat added that this reportedly happened when some of the workers had already presented their certificates to the Human Resources Department at MEPA.

"While the Prime Minister should explain why the problem has returned, he should immediately appoint an independent inquiry to investigate the serious allegations made and publish the report," Brincat said.

He said that if the allegations are founded, the MEPA official is not only failing to look after the workers, but is also breaching the rules regulating health and safety.