Three cheers for clientelism

Abstract

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s decision on Enemalta’s application to build a substation at L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa last week was a tonic for all those who are appalled by the sheer gall of the squatters hiding behind the façade of ‘Armier Developments Ltd’. However, the hearing preceding the decision revealed some disturbing mindsets. For instance, Tarcisio Barbara, the de facto mouthpiece for the boathouse lobby, made some damaging remarks during and after the hearing that need revisiting. Chief among these is his bold stance in the aftermath of the hearing that, even though the lobby was disappointed with Mepa’s quashing of the substation application, the decision did not affect the integrity of ‘their’ boathouses since these were here to stay.