Song for unsung heroes

Abstract

It risks sounding like a much-abused cliche but the Malta Environment and Planning Authority arguably is the favourite pin cushion for many Maltese. Whether this is justified or not is obviously subject to much heated debate, but this onslaught often claims many undeserving victims, including the authority's diligent enforcement team. Today's column is, in fact, dedicated to the resolve of Mepa's enforcement staff who soldier on despite the adversity and the lack of limelight their thankless job attracts. An accusation often levelled at Mepa is that it acts aggressively with the weak and rather meekly with the strong. Such a perception is so ingrained in the Maltese mindset that many are sceptical that the authority would ever flex its muscles with the country's top brass. An overview of some enforcement cases may dispel this perception somewhat: Mepa recently carried out direct action for infringements committed (separately) by the former mayor of Qala, by a much-dreaded character with a criminal past in Mosta, and by an intimidating character at a scrapyard in Birzebbuga.