Labour leader Alfred Sant has said that the solution to the impasse created at the Mepa Audit Office should not be resolved by changing the structures of the Audit Office, but should be achieved by having a Mepa board composed of a majority of truly independent members.

The Mepa board had resorted to the Office of the Ombudsman to resolve a stalemate situation in its audit office, created by the same board, after it did not reappoint investigating officer Carmel Cacopardo. The re-appointed audit officer expressed his view that he wanted Perit Cacopardo because he is incorruptible. The board and the ministry have failed to change their opposition to this taking place.

Dr Sant went on to criticise the handling of this case by the planning authority board and said that Mepa is not adhering to its duties as provided by law.

Dr Sant added that it is in the interest of both citizens and the authority itself to have an auditor investigating independently, who could then bring to the attention of the board any cases of wrongful administration.

"But unfortunately it seems that every time the authority is criticised, it goes on the defensive, taking a negative attitude and considers the Audit Office as a thorn in its side. The more the auditor is professional and serious, the more the authority tries to restrain him. If such an attitude does not change, there seems to be no solution, including the one presented by the Ombudsman, that can resolve the situation," Dr Sant said.