Labour shadow minister for the environment Roderick Galdes yesterday welcomed the report by the Today Public Policy Institute on MEPA reform, authored by Martin Scicluna.
“All the recommendations in this report on MEPA reform should be evaluated as necessary by the relevant authorities, not least by the Prime Minister in whose portfolio MEPA falls.
“The public expects the prime minister to act concretely and decisively in implementing a total reform at MEPA in the shortest time possible, for greater accountability and transparency in the authority’s operations. The public demands this after a series of abuse and allegations of corruption that seriously dented MEPA’s integrity in our society,” Galdes said.
Galdes, a MEPA employee, pointed out that the environment directorate at the authority was still lacking the significant human and financial resources necessary to enforce European and national legislation. He said both the planning and environment authorities required equal strength so as to coordinate more efficiently with each other.
“Labour is closely evaluating the Scicluna report, even towards the updating of the party’s environmental policy for the coming years. We also believe these recommendations should be considered in the light of their social implications. In the meantime, government cannot remain passive.