Wied Qirda: Let the ERA do its job, PD says

Partit Demokratiku yesterday noted that the government seems to be “at war with itself,” with the Environment and Resources Authority attempting to use its limited powers to protect Wied Qirda from illegal works by Infrastructure Malta, which continued despite a Stop and Compliance Order having been issued.

Partit Demokratiku called for the ERA to be given further powers to defend Malta and Gozo’s rapidly diminishing landscape.

“At present, even when the ERA objects to a planning application, it is often the case that its advice is simply ignored, and its terms and conditions for agreement are often trampled upon,” PD pointed out.

“The ERA, as a regulator, must have veto power over planning applications and must have the clout and strength to have the final say on any projects, such as the one happening in Wied Qirda. How is it possible that despite Infrastructure Malta breaching Article 58 of the Environmental Protection Act, that it is able to carry on flaunting justice in plain sight?”

Partit Demokratiku said it believes “it is high time that environmental justice was practiced, not only preached.

“The ERA was supposedly formed to give a stronger voice to the environment, and yet in practice, it has only led to a frenzy of destruction.

“Allow the employees of the ERA to carry out their work, and protect Malta’s environment, which is now protected in the constitution.”