Be the first to comment!Ombudsman’s report confirms “irreparable damage” in Comino – PN
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The Nationalist Opposition, in a statement on Tuesday, said that following an investigation, the Ombudsman’s report confirms the “irreparable damage” done in Comino caused by work being carried out by the Government.
The investigation was undertaken by the Office of the Ombudsman on the roadworks being carried out in Comino by the Ministry for Gozo, following a request by Opposition Spokesperson for the Environment Robert Cutajar earlier this month.
Robert Cutajar Opposition spokesman for the Environment and Climate Change, stressed that the works carried out in Comino, a protected area, with environmental value and a Natura 2000 site, “were unauthorised and have caused irreparable damage.”
The PN said that in his conclusions, the Commissioner for the Environment and Planning with in the Office of the Ombudsman, “refutes the excuses” that the Government had said, by describing the works as emergency.
“This is not an isolated case,” the PN said. “Today in our country this attitude of the Government and of its authorities have became the order of the day.”
The PN argued that, “we are living in a scenario where instead of the Government and its authorities protecting and safeguarding the environment, they are the main protagonists in the damage being done to the environment in our country.”
Robert Cutajar stated that the PN “does not understand how the Minister responsible for the environment remains silent and does not condemn this repetitive attitude we are witnessing every day. A deafening silence.”
The Nationalist Party further stated that it will be insisting that the Ombudsman’s demands and recommendations on this case are implemented by the Government. Adding that the PN will also be looking forward to the outcome of eight cases submitted to the Ombudsman. “All these cases deal with environmental damage carried out by Government authorities.”
The Nationalist Party concluded by saying that “the need for a revolution in the environment in every sense by deeds and not by words is a priority.”
File photos: FoE
