Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/619227
4 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2015 News 4 News Front calls for audit of ODZ permits FRONT Harsien ODZ is calling for an independent audit led by plan- ning commissioner David Pace to assess the approval of a number of controversial permits approved in outside development schemes in breach of the advice of the Malta Environment and Planning Au- thority's Planning Directorate, the Environment Directorate or both. The audit should include a re- view of the impact of 'rural policy and design guidelines' approved in 2014, which has paved the way for a number of abusive develop- ments. The Front called on MEPA to commit itself to abide by these recommendations. Front Harsien ODZ is making this call in view of last Saturday's report with regard to permit PA 0740/15, which saw the approval in September of a dwelling with a floor space of 280 square metres instead of an existing garage un- der the pretext that the site was used as a livestock farm, a claim disputed by the Planning Direc- torate. The Front also referred to a number of other cases reported in the past months. These included a case (PA 0765/15), also approved in September, which saw MEPA issuing a permit for the demolition of three roofless structures to be converted into a villa with a swim- ming pool, in outside development zones in Wied il-Buzbiez in Rabat, under the pretext that the build- ing was once used as a residence, a claim which was strongly disputed by the Planning Directorate. Front Harsien ODZ is particu- larly concerned by policies allow- ing the redevelopment of country- side ruins and agricultural stores or villas. In one case (PA 2065/15) a permit was issued to transform a pile of rubble into a two-storey high 50 square metre agricultural store. The Front also expressed con- cern about policies allowing the redevelopment of disused live- stock farms, some of which are of dubious legality, into villas, ware- houses and other developments. "Not only are the policies in themselves prone to abuse but they are being implemented and interpreted in an arbitrary fashion. Therefore the time has come for a general review of the rural policy approved in 2014," the Front said. "To carry out such a review it is vital that an independent authori- ty like the planning commissioner also investigates how these poli- cies are being implemented by the various decision making boards when issuing permits." New breathalyser units donated to police force MARTINA BORG THE Malta Insurance Associa- tion has donated 15 breathalyser kits and 24 digital cameras to the police force, in a bid to improve road safety. Police commissioner Michael Cassar said that both the police and the public would benefit from the new, updated technol- ogy – the new breathalyser units are more efficient and hygienic, offering results faster than the older models. Cassar added that the new units would replace the older ones as officers had had some difficul- ties with them, given their infe- rior technology. Several districts would get a breathalyser, as well as two at the RIU unit and the traffic branch. "The previous units necessitat- ed that two tests be carried out, one on site and one at the police station, but under the new sys- tem, a print-out with date, time and blood-alcohol content will be issued on site," Cassar said. Thousands of test results can be stored in the kits' internal mem- ory, together with all the relevant details of the location where the test was conducted, the police of- ficer who carried out the test and the individual on whom the test was carried out. Officers are currently being trained in the use of these units, which are also more user-friendly than their predecessors. The Malta Insurance Asso- ciation is part of the Road Safety Council and it was in this capac- ity that it was making efforts to improve road safety, MIA presi- dent Julian Mamo said. Expressing his and the associa- tion's members' appreciation to- wards the Police and the invalu- able work that they carry out at risk to their own lives, Mamo said the cameras donated will com- plement the information that is compiled in an Accident Report and help in increasing efficiency and reduce traffic congestions on the roads network. On the other hand, Mamo said the new breathalyser kits will act as an effective deterrent against drink-driving in Malta, which may contribute towards a higher incidence of accidents and inju- ries or fatalities. He said that the association had donated equipment to help reduce claims as a result of road accidents, but that the main aim was to reduce fatal accidents on the road, which amounted to two throughout 2015. Cassar added that the cameras would be used to take pictures of road accidents so that the ve- hicles can be moved away after a short time. Asked whether the police felt the need of introducing dash cams or body cams, Cassar said that a study was underway into whether or not this was neces- sary. He further explained that he felt that the reputation of the po- lice force had improved during the past year. Noting the association's pres- ence on the newly-created Malta Road Safety Council, MIA direc- tor general Adrian Galea said such an initiative is a tangible contribution towards improving road safety. "While the MIA applauds the government's efforts at introduc- ing the necessary measures to encourage responsible driving, it feels there is still room for im- provement," he said. PN warns of slowing wage growth THE Nationalist Party has warned that Malta's wage growth has slumped to a rate close to that of inf lation. Eurostat statistics show that wages in Malta grew by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2015, a low- er rate than in the previous four quarters, and lower than the EU average of 2%. Separate Eurostat statistics also show that Malta in September registered the high- est annual inf lation rate in the eurozone, also 1.6%. The PN also cited national sta- tistics that indicate that inf la- tion measured by the retail price index stood at 1.32% in 2015, and finance minister Edward Scicluna's statement earlier this year that fuel prices are inten- tionally being kept high. "This proves that the Maltese economy is only improving for people within Labour's inner circle, who are getting rich off the people's backs," the PN said. "The quality of life for the rest of the population is either stagnat- ing or deteriorating." 3.4 magnitude earthquake hits near Malta A minor earthquake was felt in several parts of the Maltese is- lands at 10:21 yesterday morn- ing. The University Seismic Moni- toring Service webpage con- firmed that the quake registered a magnitude of 3.4 on the Rich- ter scale. The tremor was centred some 40km north of Malta and lasted for some 60 seconds. The quake was felt in various parts of the islands, including Valletta, San Gwann and Zab- bar. A few hours earlier, a series of minor earthquakes were reg- istered along Sicily's northern coast with the strongest tremor registered at 6:35am, reaching 3.5 on the Richter scale. MEPA's premises in Floriana, where permits are being issued which are being called into question Police Commissioner Michael Cassar (second from right) was presented 15 breathylser units