Momentum is once again calling on the authorities to take immediate legal action against Tlata Ltd, the company responsible for illegal backfilling at a Rabat quarry that continues to endanger lives and violate environmental protections.
This renewed call follows Nationalist Party MP Rebekah Borg’s demand for court proceedings after years of inaction despite enforcement orders and fines. Momentum fully supports this call and urges the Environment and Resources Authority and the Planning Authority to escalate the matter through the courts.
Matthew Agius, executive member of Momentum, said, “This is a clear case of environmental abuse and regulatory failure. We stand with the community, especially the farming community, in demanding urgent action.”
Momentum has been raising alarms about this case for over a year, including when the Ombudsman’s Commissioner for Environment and Planning was asked to investigate. Despite the Ombudsman saying that the PA did what it could by issuing enforcement notices and that the authority also imposed fines, the reality is that the authorities fail to stop the illegalities, mitigate the risks and enforce environmental law..
Dr Agius added, “This situation reflects a systemic breakdown in regulatory enforcement and highlights that this is an urgent matter to be brought before the courts.”
The Rabat quarry, located in a Special Conservation Area, is under a Stop and Compliance Order issued in 2019. ERA has exhausted its administrative penalties, yet the illegal activities continue.
Momentum Jerġa’ Jsejjaħ għal Azzjoni fuq Attivitajiet Illegali tal-Barriera Tat-Tlata ġewwa r-Rabat
Momentum qed jerġa’ jsejjaħ lill-awtoritajiet biex jieħdu azzjoni legali immedjata kontra Tlata Ltd, il-kumpanija responsabbli għax-xogħol illegali tal-barriera ġewwa r-Rabat.
Dan is-sejħa mill-ġdid issegwi t-talba tal-MP tal-Partit Nazzjonalista Rebekah Borg għal proċeduri quddiem il-qorti wara snin ta’ nuqqas ta’ azzjoni minkejja ordnijiet ta’ infurzari u ħlas ta’ multa. Momentum tappoġġja b’mod sħiħ din it-talba u tinsisti mal-Awtorità għall-Ambjent u r-Riżorsi (ERA) u l-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar (PA) biex jipproċedu minnufih quddiem il-qorti.
Matthew Agius, membru eżekuttiv ta’ Momentum, qal, “Dan huwa każ ċar ta’ abbuż ambjentali u falliment regolatorju. Aħna nappoġġaw lill-komunità, speċjalment ill-komunità tal-bdiewa, biex issir azzjoni urġenti.”
Momentum ilu jitkellem fuq dan il-każ għal aktar minn sena, inkluż meta tlabna lill-Kummissarju tal-Ombudsman għall-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar biex jinvestiga. Minkejja li l-Ombudsman ikkonkluda li l-PA għamlet dak li setgħet billi ħarġet notifiki, u li imponew ukoll multi, ir-realtà hi li l-awtoritajiet ma waqqfux l-attivitajiet illegali, ma naqqsux ir-riskji u ma infurzawx liġijiet ambjentali.
Dr. Agius żied jgħid, “Din is-sitwazzjoni turi falliment sistemiku fl-infurzar regolatorju, u turi kemm din huwa urġenti li l-każ jitressaq quddiem il-qorti.”
Il-Barriera ta’ Rabat, li tinsab f’Żona ta’ Konservazzjoni Speċjali, tinsab taħt ordni ta’ Stop and Compliance Order li ġiet maħruġa fl-2019. ERA esawrixxiet il-penalitajiet amministrattivi tagħha, iżda l-attivitajiet illegali jibqgħu għaddejjin, qisu xejn mhu xejn.
