In an area where two landslides provoked by injudicious excavations have already taken place, the inconceivable has happened, a third landslide has been allowed to take place. This large site backed by unstable rock (gebel tafli) at Xemxija was an accident waiting to happen, raising consternation over the past weeks; the only reason it did not collapse earlier was that our winter has been unusually dry.
This is one disaster too many for any civilized country with all the relevant legal protection, and all necessary departments in place. FAA calls upon the relevant enforcement officials to put an end to this repeated travesty of professionalism and justice. MEPA should have known better and should request that a study on the soil mechanics be carried out for each major development, not only in the Xemxija area but all areas with a similar bedrock structure, such as Mgarr Gozo. The public has a right to know why the authorities did not monitor this latest site more carefully, especially when the outcome was predictable even to the layman and more so since this particular contractor has already caused a similar landslide just across Xemxija bay.
MEPA has just launched its campaign to enforce walls around empty plots with some fanfare.
While this initiative is laudable, it does not resolve the far more pressing need to strengthen the under-staffed enforcement team at MEPA in order to rein in rampant illegal development before it reaches the sanctioning stage. Even more urgently, regular checks are required at construction sites. It is not only quality of life that is at stake, but neighbours’ properties and their very lives which are under siege because of the lack of serious enforcement.
Government is giving the impression that it does not want to hurt developers, and some powerful developers especially, appear to be above the law. Despite cases pending in court, certain companies are undeterred. They bulldoze on in conditions that lead to potentially fatal incidents which clearly shows that the deterrents are far too weak to be effective. This situation calls for stricter monitoring together with far stiffer penalties for relapsers – such as Polidano – which could include penalties such as the freezing of planning applications, confiscation of sites, stiffer fines and jail sentences.
People have died, houses have collapsed, hillsides have caved in and still the authorities do not take action. What are we waiting for? The public cannot be blamed for wondering who is in control on this island.
FAA is organising a panel discussion on public participation in planning decisions on the 9 th March.
Speakers include Mepa representatives, Dr Joanna Drake, Joseph Muscat MEP, Arnold Cassola AD.
More details on www.ambjentahjar.org