|
James Debono
Hard-hitting criticism of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on Super One radio risks depriving Sliema local councillor Martin Debono (MLP) of his livelihood following a breach of ethics complaint lodged by MEPA with the Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber of Architects).
The architect and Labour candidate has told MaltaToday the investigation is an attempt by MEPA to “silence and intimidate him.”
But MEPA insists it has only acted with the aim of protecting its good name and that of its staff after Martin Debono made a number of accusations and allegations of corruption, directed at MEPA personnel, which included various architects in the authority.
Debono was accused by MEPA was accused of using a “provocative tone” (tixwix) and “instigating listeners to phone to offend the Malta Environment and Planning Authority”, in a complaint sent to the Chamber’s ethics standard committee. Debono claims the complaint is as an attempt by individuals holding high positions in the administration to coerce him not to reveal “what is being planned for Sliema.”
On 17 June, Martin Debono received a letter signed by the president of the Chamber of Architects informing him that the ethics standing committee of the Chamber is investigating him following a compliant registered by MEPA director Chris Borg.
Informed sources say that if found guilty, Debono could either face a warning or at most he could be denied of his warrant, without which he would not be able to exercise his profession.
Debono decried the action as reminiscent of totalitarian regimes: “despite Malta’s entry in the European Union, MEPA and the minister responsible for the environment have still to learn the value of free speech and freedom from censorship.”
But MEPA has told MaltaToday that after lodging its compliant, it will not be following up this case. While confirming that it had sent transcripts of the Super One programmes, together with its own analysis to the Kamra tal-Periti for its information, MEPA is insisting that “there is no pending complaint with the Kamra tal-Periti against Perit Martin Debono.”
A MEPA spokesperson said Debono had already been informed that “from its end MEPA would not be following up the case.”
Debono confirms that during a meeting at MEPA dealing with alleged discrimination in building permits, an official informed him that the authority was ready to withdraw the compliant.
But according to Debono, MEPA is simply acting in a cowardly manner, as once a complaint is registered with the Chamber, the investigation cannot be stopped.
David Pace, the Chamber’s president, told MaltaToday he could not comment on “any pending investigation,” but has confirmed the ethics committee is still obliged to continue in its investigations.
In its complaint to the Chamber, MEPA drew upon the standards of unethical behaviour as listed in the press club’s code of ethics, claiming Debono’s criticism of MEPA officials and the entity itself amount to character assassination.
The Chamber of Architects will however be basing its decision on its own code of ethics, which does not list the public criticism of architects who are also public officials as a form of contravention.
But Martin Debono is adamant that the attempt to deprive him of his warrant is part of a plot to try to silence him by thwarting his professional work: “private contracts with contractors engaged in work with the government have been mysteriously stopped overnight,” Debono alleged, claiming an application dating back to October 2004 for which he was appearing as architect had been rejected, only to approved a week later when another architect took over.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
|
