Architects’ chamber says professional bodies should appoint Lands’ governors

The Chamber of Architects has called on the government to heed a proposal by the Opposition for a new governors’ board for the Lands Authority to be appointed by the respective professions’ chambers.

Bill 166 proposes the establishment of a new Lands Authority that will be guided by a board of governors which will be appointed by the minister responsible for lands.

These will include three professionals, an architect, lawyer and an auditor ‘of recognising standing.’

“The Kamra tal-Periti strongly recommends and supports the proposal that such professionals should be nominated by their respective Chambers, and not appointed directly by the minister,” the Chamber said.

“This will ensure independence of these professionals from the Government of the day. This proposal will also ensure a double level of accountability of these professionals towards the Board of Governors and also towards the profession which they represent.”

Nationalist MP Ryan Callus has said in the House that MPs should also not be part of the 10-man board, of whom seven members will be directly appointed by the minister or the prime minister.

“Such an appointment will only further political interference in this department,” Callus said, who proposed that the board’s architect, lawyer and auditor are appointed by the professional bodies regulating them.

“When a politician shares responsibility with the professional bodies, we would be sharing power – as the PN government did with local councils – and showing more transparency.”