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‘About time MEPA woke up from its slumber’ - AD
Greens say that Authority’s enforcement action at Monte Kristo Estate is a case of better late than never
29 November 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
2 min read
"Malta cannot be run by arrogant bullies who flaunt the laws continuously," AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola.
In light of MEPA's botched enforcement action on the Monte Kristo estates owned by Polidano Bros, Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) has welcomed the move dubbing it as a classic case of better late than never.
"With an average area of 64,000 square metres owned by Polidano Bros being subject to enforcement notices, it is about time that MEPA woke up from its slumber," AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said.
Yesterday afternoon, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) started a co-ordinated direct action operation to remove a number of illegally built structures at the Monte Kristo Estate in Hal Farrug, which according to MEPA had "continued to mushroom over the past weeks."
AD Deputy Chairman Carmel Cacopardo welcomed the enforcement action, despite taking MEPA seven years after an inquiry in 2006 had uncovered that the Polidano Brothers had well over 83 pending enforcement orders.
"It took MEPA seven years after the Joe Falzon Inquiry into the Xemxija incidents in 2006 had revealed that Polidano Brothers had well over 83 pending enforcement orders on sites under their control. Nevertheless AD welcomes the enforcement action."
Cacopardo also lamented the fact that the action came on the eve of a public demonstration by environmental NGOs which are set to protest the over-development policies and decisions taken at MEPA level over the past months.
MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg said that an average area of 64,000 square metres owned by Polidano Bros is subject to enforcement notices after the construction magnates continued to develop without the necessary permits.
"Despite routing monitoring by the enforcement directorate and enforcement notices, some of which went back to 2008, the Polidano Brothers continued to develop without the necessary permits, prompting immediate action by MEPA against the breaches," MEPA said yesterday.
The Polidano Brothers stopped the action later in the afternoon after the civil courts upheld their prohibitory injunction. On the other hand, earlier this morning MEPA filed a prohibitory injunction demanding an instant stop to works by the Polidano Group where MEPA was meant to carry out direct enforcement action.
MEPA argued that being a major contractor does not mean could do anything they wants, a predicament echoed by Cassola who said that "Malta cannot be run by arrogant bullies, who flaunt the laws continuously because of their political connections."
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Milli jidher Koko pardo u Kazzo-la ma tantx hadu pjacir bid-decizjoni tal-Mepa. Se jkollhom anqas fuq hiex igergru. Ha ha.
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Don't be so quick to jump on the Mepa Band Wagon AD. So far this is only talk and back talk and nothing has happened yet. How many times did AD tell Mepa to do their job and demolish all illegal built boathouses on public land? If they can demolish those illegal structures on the Polidano Estate then they can surely demolish those illegally built structures at the Little Armier Ghetto Village. It is easy for Mepa to do the talk but can they do the walk? Mepa has been citing and sending notices to the Polidano Brothers for years and instead of stopping these illegal structures they added more. I do not really think that Mepa has enough balls to tear down these illegal structures, even though the law is on their side. Money talks and bullshit walks and the Polidanos have lots and lots of money. If by any chance you manage to tear down the illegal structures on the Monte Kristo estates owned by Polidano Bros, then Mepa will gain a favourable amount of credit. Mr Buttigieg show us that this time Mepa means what they say and it refuses to be run by politics and big money. Talk is very cheap.
@ Mr Cassola, "Malta is run by arrogant bullies, who flaunt the laws continuously because of their political connections." but you know that already.
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Kmieni Cassola! Are you going to chain yourself to Polidano's iron gates if no agreement is reached? Make sure to oil the securing lock well. You never know when someone will fling the gates open! You do not want to be in the way.
