Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) wishes to publicly note its appreciation for the action taken by the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Mr George Pullicino, in demanding the resignation of Architect Catherine Galea, Deputy Chairman of the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority.

This episode, a potential watershed, was triggered by reports to FAA by concerned residents in Mellieha where a bungalow development had been approved in violation of several MEPA regulations, the architect involved being none other than MEPA's own Deputy Chairman. FAA was immediately compelled to note the evident conflict of interest and request that the case be investigated by the authorities. The Ministry of the Environment promptly entered into regular and positive consultation with FAA on this matter, and FAA now looks forward to further action by the respective authorities and bodies - including MEPA and the Chamber of Architects - in order to rectify of the damage done to residents and the environment in the area around the Mellieha development.

It is augured that all the professionals within MEPA and those which sit on MEPA Boards reflect on this resignation and that MEPA as an institution considers its operations and policies so as to allow for greater transparency and eliminate any possibility of conflicting interests from within its various boards and committees, if necessary by enacting changes to the Development Planning Act.

FAA would like to reiterate its determination in bringing to the fore any case relating to improper or illegal developments affecting our limited land area and the rights of residents. FAA has since its formation insisted on the upholding of ethics within MEPA and for the authority to stop considering requests for permits in any protected zone - be they Outside Development Zone, scheduled structures or buffer zones of nature reserves.

FAA would finally like to once again praise the courageous move by Minister Pullicino in demanding Ms. Galea's resignation and this, in particular, due to two main reasons: The first is that Malta does not have a culture promoting resignations and, secondly, that Mr. Pullicino had placed his trust in Ms. Galea as an appointee to the MEPA Board but was ready to withdraw it when her position was no longer tenable. FAA looks forward to this possibly marking a new era of better relations between Government and residents where questionable practices or developments are concerned.