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James Debono
A vague inference to corruption at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and an observation during a radio programme on an article published in MaltaToday, has prompted the Permanent Commission Against Corruption to summon Sliema Labour councillor Martin Debono to provide evidence.
Martin Debono was first notified that he was being summoned by the police in September. He appeared before the Commission on Wednesday, to give evidence on “a request for an investigation on allegations of corruption made during a discussion on a local radio.”
Martin Debono is also being investigated by the Kamra tal-Periti, the chamber of architects, on declarations made during the same radio programme. He can face a stern warning or even have his warrant withdrawn if found guilty by the Kamra tal-Periti for his allegations.
Debono’s warrant was only recognised in 1996 following years of controversy during which he was not allowed to exercise his profession.
The case against Debono within the Kamra tal-Periti was prompted by a complaint sent by MEPA director Chris Borg. The Permanent Commission Against Corruption has forwarded Debono with a transcript of those parts of the programme which are relevant to its investigation, identical to the one sent by MEPA to the Kamra tal-Periti.
But MEPA has not replied to MaltaToday’s questions on whether it has asked the Commission to investigate Debono’s allegations on Super One. The transcript includes a number of statements made during the programme, in which Debono referred to a MaltaToday article entitled “Approve the Chalet parking project – MEPA director tells underlings”.
The article referred to an e-mail sent by director Chris Borg urging the case officer and other MEPA officials “to approve the Chalet project” in Sliema, and not to protect the cave next to the Chalet, which lies beneath the Sliema promenade.
The e-mail’s contents were revealed by MaltaToday two days before Debono’s radio programme. On that occasion MEPA defended the controversial email by saying that Borg’s “favourable recommendation was in line with the MEPA board’s direction.”
In the radio programme Debono remarked on the decision to destroy the caves near the Chalet as “predetermined”.
The Commission is also investigating Debono’s reference to people speaking to him on corruption. During the programme Debono vaguely alluded to the talk on corruption at MEPA: “Some people are coming to me with papers and evidence, and others say things about corruption,” Debono had said.
In November the MEPA board decided to give the Sliema Chalet developer, who aims to build a car park beneath the promenade, a month’s chance to abide to the development brief, despite a negative recommendation by the MEPA directorate. MEPA is also recommending the elimination of Ghar il-Lembi, one of the caves next to the Chalet.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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