Labour on the side of ‘common citizen’ for MEPA reform
Charlot Zahra “In the discussion taking place about the MEPA reform, Labour is taking the position of the common citizen,” PL leader Joseph Muscat told a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group yesterday, which discussed the MEPA reform proposed.
“The citizen does not want a concrete jungle, but does not agree with the position that every developer is considered as a criminal,” Muscat said. Muscat explained how the PL was in agreement with the foru major points being advanced in the ensuring reform. He said “transparency… would show the ordinary citizen the manner in which decisions were being taken and whoever would be shouldering the responsibilities for these decisions”.
Muscat called for a “total overhaul” in this respect that would lead to a planning system which is understood by taxpayers rather than solely by experts.
The PL also said it agreed with the introduction of certainty in the MEPA planning process. “If two different people apply for a development in the same zone, they should be treated equally,” Muscat said.
Muscat said that the PL also agreed with the introduction of practicality. “We should remove the current bureaucratic mess. Accountability should not be equated with bureaucracy,” he insisted.
He also called for government to refrain from using the MEPA reform as an excuse to increase MEPA charges to a prohibitive level. The Labour leader said the party was also in agreement with the need for enforcement, because currently it was “non-existent”.
“Whatever is decided by the Government or the Opposition would be futile if enforcement is not practised,” he insisted.
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