Updated: Johann Buttigieg to return as PA CEO

Johann Buttigieg is to return as the CEO of the Planning Authority, the Times of Malta reports.Buttigieg had stepped down from the role six years ago,The Times reports that Buttigieg is to return to the role to tackle the ever growing permit applicat

By: independent.com.mt

Jan 07 2025
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Johann Buttigieg is to return as the CEO of the Planning Authority, the Times of Malta reports.

Buttigieg had stepped down from the role six years ago,

The Times reports that Buttigieg is to return to the role to tackle the ever growing permit application backlog. He had originally been appointed as the authority's chief executive in 2013, and later his designation was changed to CEO. In 2019 he had stepped down from the role and was appointed CEO of the Tourism Authority, leaving that role three years later.

When he was CEO of the Planning Authority in the past, the authority was heavily criticised over the applications that were being granted.

In 2018 Buttigieg was found to have authorised the use of over €8,000 to be paid for a board member of the PA to fly to and from Malta by private jet on the eve of a board meeting regarding the db Group's Pembroke city centre project.

Buttigieg was also the subject of controversy over Whatsapp chats with Yorgen Fenech in 2019. Fenech had proposed a joint property deal to Buttigieg. The news about the chats broke in 2021. Moviment Graffiti had, after that news broke, called for an independent investigation into Buttigieg's conduct during his time with the PA. The NGO had said that the PA had long been granting construction magnates unbridled power through development projects, which it remarked often ran contrary to the needs of everyday citizens. The NGO had said that the close relationships between the top management of the PA and the business as well as political classes were creating a climate of impunity which allowed construction magnates to run rampant.

Buttigieg had also handed down a consultancy contract when he was at the Malta Tourism Authority to Konrad Mizzi when the latter stepped down as tourism minister at height of the political crisis in 2019. That contract was quickly scrapped.

Buttigieg's original tenure at the PA oversaw major reforms in the planning sector, which included the split of MEPA into the Planning Authority and the Environment and Resources Authority.

Robert Abela has no one left to turn to or work with, PN says

With the reappointment of Johann Buttigieg as Chief Executive Officer of the Planning Authority - a story revealed by il-Mument last Sunday and confirmed by Times of Malta today - Robert Abela is demonstrating that he has no one left to turn to or rely on, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday.

Robert Abela's game of musical chairs has now become a necessity because he simply has no other options. So much so that he is forced to turn back the clock and reappoint Johann Buttigieg as CEO of the same authority, six years after he left the role.

It seems Abela has forgotten that, according to him, the clock always moves forward and never goes back.

The Partit Nazzjonalista reiterates that appointments to such positions within authorities should undergo scrutiny by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Appointments.

A Government led by the PN would be firmly committed to good governance practices and accountability.

The Partit Nazzjonalista insists that the Planning Authority must be an independent institution, free from any political interference, promoting sustainable development that respects the interests of the entire nation, where the people's and the environment's interests are prioritised.

This can only be achieved through a comprehensive and holistic reform of the planning system, not by turning back the clock and recycling controversial appointments, including individuals who have been shown to have close ties to people implicated in some of the most serious crimes and scandals in recent years.

National Building Council welcomes appointment

The National Building Council (NBC) - a partnership between the Malta Development Association and the Chamber of Architects, congratulated Johann Buttigieg on his recent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Planning Authority.

"The NBC trusts that it will begin holding talks with Buttigieg to start addressing the various problems being faced by the built environment, and the grave inefficiencies that are encumbering the authority itself. Among the issues that need to be addressed with urgency is the ever-elusive balance between economic needs and social, environmental, and cultural development, through the protection of our natural and cultural heritage, and the focus on public space and quality of life."

"Reform of planning policies, including the local plans and DC15, to achieve better design outcomes and more sustainable development must be at the centre of the authority's focus in the year ahead," the NBC said.

"Additionally, planning processes must also undergo major reform to minimise delays and unnecessary bureaucracy which only adds to the problem of housing affordability, and procedural abuse and inconsistencies. The various recent Court of Appeal judgements on various planning applications is a clear indication that change within the authority is necessary to ensure that decisions are taken in a fair manner, consistent with policy and law. The Council remains committed to collaborating closely with the Planning Authority to ensure that these initiatives are implemented effectively. We firmly believe that by building on the foundations laid by the outgoing CEO, Mr Oliver Magro, and addressing emerging challenges, Malta can achieve its goals of sustainable growth while maintaining a high standard of service for all stakeholders."

Buttigieg was involved in many controversies - Cassola

Politician Arnold Cassola said that Buttigieg was involved in many controversies, and brought up his ties to Yorgen Fenech.

"In March 2019, Yorgen Fenech asked the Planning Authority CEO, Johann Buttigieg, to identify any promising developments by Joseph Portelli that he could take over as settlement for a "500" debt Portelli had with Fenech, as he did not have the patience to go through all the developments himself," Cassola said.

News reports at the time read that Buttigieg confirmed he was willing to do business with Fenech, but not on that particular deal: "We can do business whenever you like. But those are yours."

Cassola said that instead of reporting Yorgen Fenech to the police and to his superiors, Buttigieg confirmed that he was ready to do business with Fenech.

"All Malta is now aware of the fact that the supposed squeaky clean PA CEO, Buttigieg, was being ordered about" by Yorgen Fenech, Cassola said. "Yet, Abela and Miriam Dalli want to reappoint Buttigieg? If so, this is a further reason for the people to take to the streets to force the resignation of a political administration that is corrupt to the marrow," Cassola said.

Repubblika condemns decision

Repubblika condemned the decision by the Prime Minister to reappoint Johann Buttigieg as Chief Executive of the Planning Authority "without clarifying any of the allegations previously made against him.:

Repubblika also brought up the Yorgen Fenech chats, and said that Buttigieg, in chats with Yorgen Fenech, "told him, "'Whenever you want, we can do business'. We note that Johann Buttigieg made this statement while he was Chief Executive of the Planning Authority and at a time when it was publicly known that Yorgen Fenech was the owner of 17 Black. How can we trust a Chief Executive of the Planning Authority who openly expressed willingness to do business like this?"

"How can we trust Johann Buttigieg, whose first actions as Chief Executive of the Tourism Authority included awarding a consultancy contract to Konrad Mizzi, who had just resigned as Minister under scandalous circumstances? We remind Robert Abela that his obligation as Prime Minister is to act in the interest of Malta, not to use public appointments to cover up the turmoil resulting from his demonic pact."

'Brought back fromt he skip of history' - Graffitti

Moviment Graffitti said on social media that Buttigieg has been brought back from the "skip of history" to again lead the PA, while saying that Buttigieg is known for his unrestrained support "for the interests of our country's biggest and most corrupt thieves."