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Brincat will ‘use his influence’ to put access to footpath on the agenda
Environment Minister Leo Brincat meets Ramblers Association and assures them he will be exert influence as to ensure that the issue of access to countryside in placed high on the agenda.
26 March 2013, 12:00am
Miriam Dalli
Miriam Dalli
2 min read
Environment Minister Leo Brincat in meeting with Ramblers Association.
In a meeting he held with the Ramblers Association, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said that he will "use his influence" to see that the issue of access to footpath and countryside is place high on the government's agenda.
The Ramblers Association have long been raising the issue over the lack of access to countryside in certain areas while insisting that no entry signs should include proof of ownership.
However, Brincat assured them that he would be monitoring this issue closely while also reiterating that the Majjistral Park should serve its original purpose.
Brincat expressed his wish that meetings with the NGOs would be not be only of feedback matter but also would like to hear what they would do if they were to be in decision-making position.
"We want to involve you and we want to hear open criticism from you side while also briefing us with your initiatives," he said.
Brincat added that once the NGO fund is set up he wanted structural meetings to take place on a regular basis.
He also insisted that he wanted ministries to start thinking about their role and impact on the environment. Environment doesn't only mean MEPA and NGOs, Brincat said, and the more businesses realise that they must be environmental friendly, the more successful they can be.
He said it was important that there was a clear distinction between a regulator and an operator and no collusion should exist between the two.
"Regulators must have the teeth to enforce or else it would be useless expecting the operator to follow the rules," he said.
Brincat also pointed out that even though MEPA currently formed part of the Prime Minister's portfolio, as the minister for the environment he still could raise issues.
He added that the Prime Minister was responsible of MEPA until the authority is split up.
On their part, the Ramblers Association expressed their wish to hold regular meetings with the government and lamented over not having had enough opportunity to express their opinion with the previous administration.
"We hope that more time is allocated for discussion between the two sides," the association told Brincat.
Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...
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Dear gborgos7, the minister has simply promised to monitor the situation which does not automatically mean that he will be doing something about it. He is still in his honeymoon mood so please bid your time before starting to laud his exploits.
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At last someone is willing to do something, the effects of which remain to be seen. How about giving us ramblers the Ta' Baldu footpath at Dingli which we enjoyed for tens of years before blue-eyed big businessmen bought over the whole area (God knows how that money was secured)and made it theirs. Show us you mean business Leo and give us back all the footpaths that have been stolen from the public these past 25 years.
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Ramblers are more than correct to get such places as Simblija accessible to the people who own it. The previous Government had built garages and rooms to owners to replace those that needed to be taken over at Simblija. Yet one owner uses force and abuse to refuse rightful entry to the people. Police reports were made in vain because he had the backing of GONZIPN especially as Gonzi himself has a country villa just above Simblija.
