Environment committee chair denies conflict of interest

Despite concerns voiced by NGOs, Labour MP Franco Mercieca has denied a conflict of interest in his part-ownership of a construction company and his role as chairman of the Parliamentary environment and planning committee.

Confirming his 10% shareholding in Menfi Ltd, whose shareholders include Joseph Portelli, the businessman behind one of the Paceville high-rise projects, Mercieca said “let me be clear and state that the parliamentary committee that I chair, discussed the holistic regeneration plan for Paceville and not any particular individual project.”

Last week, Mercieca chaired a committee meeting in which the master plan was ripped to shreds by Opposition MPs, businessmen, residents and environmentalists.

During the meeting the Planning Authority’s executive chairman vehemently denied that the consultants for the Paceville master plan had a conflict of interest, after it was revealed that they had informed him of their work on one of the proposed skyscrapers in the area.

Mott MacDonald, one of two consultancy firms for the master plan, had also drafted engineering reports for the Mercury House project, the brainchild of businessman Joseph Portelli – who plans to build two skyscrapers on the 80,000 square metre site.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Mercieca said “Menfi Ltd is not involved in any projects in Malta, let alone in Paceville.”

He also insisted that he has no conflict of interest “and if you are questioning my stance in chairing the said committee you should enquire with all members and eNGOs who regularly attend the meetings.”

KEA: Mercieca should not sit on committee 

In comments to MaltaToday, Kamp Emergenza Ambjent spokesperson Andre Callus said that Mercieca “should have declared his conflict of interest, or potential conflict of interest, and withdrawn from chairing the meeting as he is laying himself open to suspicions of bias in the way he conducts said meetings.”

Callus said Mercieca – who replaced independent MP Marlene Farrugia – “should have declared his involvement in the first place and refrained from sitting on this committee.”

The KEA activist said the master plan should be scrapped because it is structurally flawed.

Callus said the master plan’s design was based exclusively on the developers’ wishes, which has ultimately “resulted in a terrible plan that accommodates only the interest of a few developers.”

He added that a master plan should be based on development that safeguards the environment and serves the needs of the people and not of developers.

“Moreover, a master plan should take into account the national level so that it reflects the overall needs of the country. This current master plan proposes very intense development in a tiny area without looking at the impact it will have on the surrounding areas and the rest of the country.”