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“Give me money and I’ll iron out your problem" – PA Official

Described as sleazy and devious, a Planning Authority official is extracting money from individuals who have erected satellite dishes without the necessary notification. The person, who is well known to anyone who regularly visits the PA, has concocted an ingenious method of discovering who has a satellite dish without a notification order.

The man has close connections with a particular outlet which sells satellite dishes, he notes down the addresses of the persons who have purchased the dish and then checks whether they have notified the authorities or applied for a satellite dish.

If they have not done so, he visits them and requests a minimum of Lm50.

Most satellite owners are caught unawares and forward the money without question. A few others, perturbed that a small satellite dish on a roof, away from any prying eye should lead to such hassle, have spoken up.

The MaltaToday team have investigated and tracked down the details of the case. Once again, they have discovered that the actions of this individual are well known to PA officials.

The Government, most notably the Parliamentary Secretary, George Pullicino, has always argued that he does not interfere with the workings of the Planning Authority.

As a result of these investigations, MaltaToday has come across more serious abuses involving significant cases related to major projects.

The new procedures linked to permits means that any one who wishes to install a satellite dish will no longer have to request a permit but will simply need to carry out a notification. This would cost only Lm5 to Lm15.