Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518433
10 OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 APRIL 2024 I am no geologist myself, but analysing certain findings emerging from the Jean Paul So- fia public inquiry report, coupled with some related, suspicious, almost sinister, circumstances that indicate why and how the importance of the role of geol- ogists within the building and construction industry has been minimised, if not outright left by the wayside, by government de- partments, agencies, authorities and entities responsible for the regulation of the industry, makes one wonder. That public inquiry report flagged the indispensable role of the geologist in the construction industry. It recommended that every rock excavation be preced- ed by a report by a geologist who is asked to assess ground condi- tions. Such a recommendation implies that the state must now recognise the profession of the geologist so that only warrant- ed geologists will be allowed to make such reports and fill in the description of ground conditions in the Method Statement, which presently is done by other profes- sionals who may not understand or misinterpret the site geology. It is pertinent, at this stage, to recall how, way back in Novem- ber of last year, geologist Peter Gatt raised suspicions that Mal- ta's geological map had been tampered with. He alleged that the area surrounding the home of Miriam Pace, which collapsed in 2020, was marked as being middle globiġerina in 1993. But, in the updated 2022 map, the same area became lower globiġe- rina. Geologically, there is a signifi- cant difference between Lower Globiġerina and Middle Glo- biġerina Limestone, a friable rock with a case history of sev- eral areas collapsing during rock excavation. Is this sufficient proof that indicates some kind of official tampering with evidence? Was the 2022 change to the geolog- ical map of Malta, and in par- ticular to the area where Miriam Pace's home collapsed, done to cover the gross negligence in carrying out a due diligence and impact assessment before initi- ating demolition and building works close to her home? Was this an orchestrated manoeuvre to exculpate all those involved in that fatal tragedy? Indeed, the inquiry revealed that the geological map of Mal- ta, produced by the Continen- tal Shelf Department within the Ministry of Finance, was inaccu- rate. Not only that, but despite the law requiring that the geo- logical map be consulted ahead of rock excavation, it seems that such a requirement was hardly, if ever, met. Even more serious, and some- thing that continues to raise more inexplicable and suspi- cious issues and ulterior motives, is the fact that notwithstanding the Chamber of Geologists iden- tifying serious omissions and tampering with our national ge- ological map, especially since its 2022 'update', the Director Gen- eral at the Continental Shelf De- partment continues to challenge the professional advice given by the Chamber of Geologists and refuses to make the necessary corrections, effectively under- mining public safety, which can cost lives. What is it that the govern- ment and other authorities re- sponsible for the regulation and monitoring of the building and construction industry keep on ignoring valuable and vital geo- logical advice such as the call for the setting up of a national geo- logical service that would update Malta's geological map, advise the public on geological hazards and assess Malta's natural re- sources? Geology is of fundamental im- portance in construction since construction operations take place either on or in the ground. Open excavation involves the removal of material from the surface within certain specified limits. The method of excava- tion depends on the ground con- ditions. Rock, especially strong rock, is removed by drilling and blasting. Geologists are also vital to the planning of large-scale in- frastructure; studying the sub- surface sediments and the rock type of an area is necessary for planning projects such as tun- nels, motorways, offshore ener- gy devices and flyovers. A good understanding of the geology of an area can help prevent any disasters or long-term problems with a structure. This can be done by avoiding bad ground or engineering a project to suit the type of area it is to be built on. An example of this would be looking at possible cavities that may form in a limestone area due to weathering and taking these factors into account when engineering the project. In light of all this, one cannot understand the government's stand on refusing geologists as professionals. Malta is the only country in Europe where ge- ology and geologists are not recognised as a profession, in any shape or form. In Italy, for example, geologists are not on- ly recognised, but they are also given a state warrant to be able to practise their profession. It's the same in Greece, Spain and other countries as well. Indeed, in Switzerland, geologists are recognised as stakeholders in the construction industry. Even the Malta Developmen Association believes that geol- ogists should be industry stake- holders. In fact, the Chamber of Geologists issued a joint po- sition paper with the MDA that emphasised the importance of recognising the profession of the geologist. It is imperative that the govern- ment, at all levels, be encouraged to incorporate licensed geolo- gists or geological engineers in The geological factor Mark Said is a veteran lawyer Mark Said That public inquiry report flagged the indispensable role of the geologist in the construction industry