The Standards Commissioner has officially dismissed allegations of ethical breaches against Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, following a complaint lodged by independent candidate Arnold Cassola back in 2021. The complaint pertained to alleged unauthorised works within a Natura 2000 site, ostensibly benefiting service providers on Comino who were purportedly associated with Camilleri’s campaign efforts.

In his thorough investigation, the Standards Commissioner noted that the Planning Authority had indeed granted permission for the works in question on the island of Gozo. However, the Commissioner expressed curiosity over the necessity of these works on a site that had remained untouched for centuries, highlighting that the jurisdiction on such matters lies with the Authority, not his office. The Commissioner aligned himself with the Office of the Ombudsman’s findings, which revealed that the Comino projects overseen by Camilleri lacked the required approvals.

Camilleri, taking to social media, hailed the Commissioner’s decision not to pursue further investigation after a comprehensive review of the allegations. Labelling the claims as “baseless,” the minister clarified that the works on Comino were greenlit by the Planning Authority and were not intended to cater exclusively to service providers on the island. He further emphasised that the issuance of direct orders, as criticized by the complainant, does not necessarily constitute an abuse of power.

Expressing concern about the misuse of the Commissioner’s office, Camilleri pointed out the importance of substantiating claims before filing complaints. He stressed the need for accountability and fairness in utilizing such processes, stating, “The law should be just with everyone.”

Arnold Cassola, in response to the Commissioner’s decision, acknowledged that the Standards Commissioner had aligned himself with the stance of the Office of the Ombudsman. This alignment prompted the Ombudsman to halt ongoing works, recommend fines, and mandate the restoration of the affected site to its pre-construction state.

The Commissioner, however, found himself in a challenging position due to conflicting views between the Ombudsman and the Planning Authority. This divergence made it difficult for the Commissioner, lacking the requisite technical expertise, to delve further into the situation, according to Cassola.

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In a passionate and urgent call for action, Nationalist MP Eve Borg Bonello has brought to the forefront a distressing issue that has been plaguing the streets of Malta. With a resounding plea, “Our streets can’t be playgrounds for rats and rubbish anymore!” Borg Bonello has sounded the alarm on the ongoing “garbage crisis” that has left residents exasperated and communities frustrated.

In a video shared on her social media platform, Borg Bonello painted a stark picture of the current situation. The picturesque localities of Sliema, St Julian’s, Swieqi, and more have been marred by the unsightly presence of heaps of trash that now characterize their streets. Residents have been enduring the distressing reality of sharing their living spaces with rats and mountains of waste.

The video, shared with a sense of urgency, captures the essence of the issue as Borg Bonello stands resolutely in front of a pile of refuse. She eloquently voices the concerns of her constituents, pointing out that this garbage crisis has become a pressing matter that demands immediate attention and concrete action.

The plight of these affected communities has caught the attention of concerned citizens across Malta.

#MaltaDaily