Updated 1635
Marine environment: EU opens infringement case against Malta: The European Commission has announced the opening of an infringement procedure against Malta, together with a number of other Member States for failing to comply with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims to protect the EU’s seas and oceans and ensure that their resources are managed sustainably. Under the directive, Member States were required to review and update their ‘monitoring programmes’ by 15 October 2020 and their ‘programmes of measures’ by 31 March 2022. The Member States concerned failed to submit reports on the review of their programmes of measures to the Commission by the required deadlines. Malta also failed to send reports on the review of their monitoring programmes.
Polidano, Portelli fined on Birkirkara demolition project: Companies linked to construction magnate Charles Polidano and major developer Joseph Portelli have been fined over a dangerous demolition project that was caught on camera in Birkirkara. The Building and Construction Authority handed the largest fine of €5,000 to Polidano, while the developer and site manager, Mark Agius, an associate of Portelli, was fined €3,150. (Times of Malta)
Government does not want to strengthen media freedom – EFJ Sec-Gen: The General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Ricardo Gutiérrez, said that it is obvious that Maltese government does not want to strengthen the role of journalists as watchdogs. He described government’s inaction on media reform as “a clear and deliberate desire not to strengthen media freedom”. Gutiérrez was addressing the national conference for media reform on Wednesday morning at the Aula Magna of the University of Malta Valletta Campus. (Newsbook)
Mid-Day Briefing
Chamber of Architects opens investigation on outrageous Birkirkara works: The Chamber of Architects has opened a disciplinary investigation into “completely outrageous” demolition works at Birkirkara that could lead to the suspension of the architect’s warrant. Yesterday, architect Maria Schembri Grima stepped down as chair of the Building and Construction Agency after footage emerged showing stones crashing onto Psaila Street at the demolition project she is leading. The BCA issued a stop notice to its then chairperson over the works at the former Go Exchange building, carried out by Excel Investments. (Times of Malta / Maltatoday)
Power plant provides energy only in fair weather – PN’s Sammut: The Labour government’s much lauded power plant only provides energy in fair weather, Nationalist MP Mark Anthony Sammut warned in Parliament. Sammut insisted that the nationwide blackout last week was caused by an over-reliance on the interconnector, adding that during the storm that battered Malta last week the Electrogas power plant had to grind to a halt because the LNG tanker had to pull away from its jetty for safety reasons. Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said that Enemalta followed policy and moved the tanker to the storm mooring position, adding that despite a fault in Ragusa on the interconnector Malta’s nationwide power cut only lasted an hour and a half, because of the government’s belief in energy diversification. (Newsbook)(
January flights top same month in 2019: The number of passengers transiting through the Malta International Airport during January has, for the first time, exceeded the number registered during the first month in 2019. Figures released by MIA show that the numbers for January were close to 380,000 passengers, being an increase of 3.6% over the same month in 2019, the year before the pandemic. According to the company managing the airport, this result shows the airport’s recovery post-pandemic, and notes it was 9.3% less than for January 2020. Nearly 77% of available seats on flights to and from the airport were taken up in January, a result that according to the MIA shows that the demand for travel has remained strong. (TVM)
Morning Briefing
BCA chairperson resigns after demolition fracas
Building and Construction Authority chairperson Maria Schembri Grima has resigned following outrage over footage showing a dangerous demolition at a project she was leading. The decision was announced in a short statement by Government No reasons were given in the government’s statement, but in a separate statement by Schembri Grima herself, she said that she decided to focus all her energies on her profession as an architect. (Times of Malta)
Failure to separate waste will lead to fines from April
Waste separation will be enforceable by law for everyone from 14 April with fines formally coming into force in October after a six-month educational campaign. The fines will be applicable to households, businesses, governmental and non-governmental entities. This was announced after two legal notices were publishein the Government Gazette,putting into effect the mandatory separation of waste, following a public consultation on these regulations by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) last November. (Maltatoday)
Two arrested after cannabis haul
Two men were arrested on Tuesday following the discovery of six kilograms of cannabis stashed in a trailer. In a statement, the police said that after receiving information that the drugs were concealed in a trailer, they followed the vehicle and stopped it in the Ħal Far area. Following a search inside the trailer with the assistance of officers from the Customs Department, the police found the drugs hidden in a refrigerator that was part of the merchandise. (Newsbook)
