Frank Anthony Tabone, the Shadow Minister for Gozo, argued that the concrete that was laid illegally [1] in Marsalforn is ”a clear case where the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing” and demanded ”clear and transparent answers.”
He said that yesterday, many citizens expressed their anger and concern about the concrete laid in Marsalforn, ”which all indications suggest was laid illegally. So much so that its removal began this very morning.”
However, Tabone insisted that, ”removing the concrete alone is not enough. The public has every right to know what happened, how the decisions were taken and who will shoulder responsibility for what took place.”
The Government must answer the following questions clearly and transparently:
Who authorised these works in Marsalforn?
Which permits were issued for this intervention to be carried out?
If the Minister did not give his approval, who ordered government workers to carry out these works?
Now that the concrete is being removed, what precautionary measures have been taken to avoid further damage, including to the environment and to the surrounding sea?
Were the competent authorities consulted before the works began and before the removal of the concrete started?
The Shadow Minister for Gozo warned that ”this situation raises serious questions about the way decisions are taken within Government. Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing, or not?”
Tabone stressed that ”it is essential that responsibility is shouldered for what happened, that any damage that may have been caused is remedied, and that the people are given a full explanation.”
He concluded by saying that ”the Opposition has also filed a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Gozo on this case, asking him to explain who authorised the works, which permits were in force, what measures will be taken to prevent environmental damage, as well as how much it cost to carry out these works, how much their removal will cost, and who will bear these expenses.”
Photo: Planning Authority