Dr. Harry Vassallo has called Mr Andrew Calleja’s (MEPA Chairman) attack on Carmel Cacopardo as an attack on freedom of speech and blunt political discrimination. Dr Vassallo said that in Cacopardo’s own words, this attack is similar to the one that he had suffered from when he worked in the Ministry for Public Works under the then Minister Lorry Sant. On the other hand, the fact that other MEPA officials participated in a meeting organized by the PN, and even in its campaigning, seems not to bother Mr Calleja at all.

Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for the environment and energy called for a major reform in MEPA, including the need to give the MEPA Auditor total autonomy from the politically appointed MEPA board. Cassar also called for MEPA to be split into two separate authorities, one for planning, and the other for environmental protection; two authorities directly under the supervision of parliament. He said that irrespective of these attacks against AD, the Greens will keep on working for a radical reform in MEPA, especially once the electorate votes AD into parliament.

AD Chairperson Dr Vassallo said that “among the proposals discussed during the meeting organized by AD and chaired by Cacopardo, there was a proposal to call for more scrutiny on MEPA by having the Audit Office appointed directly by the Ombudsman office. The Audit Office would be an administrative part of the Ombudsman Office. Only this way will its autonomy from MEPA be safeguarded.

Dr Harry Vassallo added that the fact that this same proposal was done recently by the Ombudsman shows that the meeting chaired by Cacopardo is proof of the work and dedication by AD in social justice and environmental protection.”

“Alternattiva Demokratika feels that even though it is still not represented in parliament, it still has achieved a lot for our country. And this only goes on to prove that with AD elected in parliament much more will be achieved” concluded Dr. Vassallo