Speaking at a press conference on site at the Sanap Cliffs in Munxar, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo said that "The destruction of a pristine countryside area in order to please a small minority and garner a few votes for the local council elections due in March, is a copycat action in which some local politicians emulate their role models on the national level."

"The concreting over of a country road, including footpaths and ramps on private land in the Sanap Cliffs area was not authorised by MEPA and does not have the authorisation of the Munxar local council. Although the Munxar mayor was seen on site during these works which were stopped by the Mepa enforcement section it is not clear who ordered these works, why they were ordered nor who will be paying for them and for the rehabilitation of the site". Dr Vassallo said.

"Since this appears to be a completely private initiative, the Mayor of Munxar should not expect the council to pay for an illegal action out of public funds, nor should Munxar local council funds be used to pay for any fines or for the rehabilitation of the site." Dr Vassallo added.

"If such pre-election excesses were allowed to go unnoticed, every election would produce a crop of environmental outrages such as this and very rapidly what remains untouched in the countryside would have also been ruined." Dr Vassallo said.

"If it transpires that these works were ordered by the Mayor of Munxar, his contesting the election in the interests of the Nationalist Party would be an act of defiance of that part of the electorate which is in favour of preserving the countryside for the enjoyment of future generations." Dr Vassallo added.

Michael Bajada Alternattiva Demokratika representative in Munxar said that council money would be far better spent on streets in the village such as Luvier Street which still awaits attention.

"It cannot be argued in any way that the concrete road laid down at the Sanap Cliffs serves local farmers. There is no farming activity in the area served by the works in question" Dr Vassallo said "By this illegal action the mayor has granted access to the area to vehicles used in dumping waste of all kinds illegally. Other areas in Malta and Gozo have already suffered a similar fate but this did not seem to occur to the mayor of Munxar. Instead of increasing public access to the area for Munxar residents, one of their favorite country walks may be lost if the area becomes a dumping ground like many others." Dr Vassallo added.

"It is high time that Mepa laid down strict rules governing the paving and laying down of country roads. Time and again valley floors have been covered in concrete and country tracks once efficiently paved with sand have been similarly laid in concrete often on the orders of local or national government especially at election time." Dr Vassallo said.

"The insensitive dumping of concrete all over the countryside is not an improvement and will become a serious liability once the agro-tourism and eco-tourism potential of these areas is realised." Dr Vassallo concluded.

A photo gallery may be viewed on the Alternattiva Demokratika Website