The buck stops at lands

Abstract

Many government and parastatal entities have had to endure the rigours of public scrutiny and vilification over the years - these include the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (by far the largest recipient of grievances), the Water Services Corporation, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Transport Authority (ADT), various ministries, etc. However, one entity manages to avoid the flak - the Lands Department. It is virtually impossible for John Citizen, let alone MEPA and other entities, to glean any information from this elusive department. A case in point is the gate barring access to Fomm ir-Rih from Gnejna, featured below, about whose legitimacy different environmental NGOs and MEPA have been vainly enquiring with Lands. Silence is the standard response from this department to similar questions on land ownership. One thus can understand why the Ramblers Association could not keep its promise to publish a map denoting public and private pathways. It is because of the lack of co-operation and support from the authorities.