Malta Developers Association Head Claims Many NGOs In The Pockets Of Big Business
The president of the Malta Developers Association has sensationally claimed that a large chunk of environmental NGOs are being secretly funded by businessmen to damage their competitors.
“It takes thousands of euros to file an appeal against a project, and all those legal and architectural fees must come from somewhere,” Michael Stivala said in a recent Times of Malta interview. “Unfortunately, businesses who want to damage their competitors often use certain NGOs to file objections.”
He refused to name names and admitted he doesn’t have “100% tangible proof” but said that “practically the majority of NGOs” are engaging in this kind of behaviour.
Asked by Lovin Malta how he found out this practice is going on, Stivala said he received reliable information from “people in the development industry”.
“We can see certain projects constantly getting attacked and receiving negative press and others not receiving the same treatment. Some projects which have less impact get attacked way more often than those which have a greater impact – it all depends on who the owner is.”
“NGOs have every right to appeal, but I don’t think it’s fair when there’s an agenda behind certain attacks.”
Activist Wayne Flask hit back at Stivala’s claims and publicly challenged him to a debate.
“It’s interesting how Stivala always wants the comfort of one-on-one interviews when making these allegations where, like a cornered fat rat, he emerges to lash out before scuttling right back into the corner,” Flash said.
“Unlike what happens in his world, civil society isn’t scared to show itself, both in the streets and the courts, and no NGO employs a former Prime Minister who is surrounded by corruption stories.”
He alleged that Stivala is merely bracing himself for future court action against his group of companies because the PA had approved certain developments in breach of planning policies.
However, he noted that the only legal battle the MDA president is currently engaged in with members of civil society is a libel case he opened against independent politician Arnold Cassola, after Cassola alleged that he hired Joseph Muscat as payback for various illegalities he sanctioned as Prime Minister.
Cover photo: MDA President Michael Stivala (right) with Environment Minister Miriam Dalli (centre)
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