Portelli’s illegal batching plant expands as PA issues new warning but keeps it running

An illegal concrete batching plant in a government-owned quarry in Kercem, Gozo, has continued to expand its activities unabated, despite a warning issued by the Planning Authority six years ago to stop the illegalities.

In the latest development, the massive operation – owned by rogue construction magnates Joseph Portelli and Mark Agius, known as Ta’ Dirjanu – has kept growing through the construction of new illegal structures and the use of public land to produce and store concrete road culverts.

The PA has now issued a new enforcement order, instructing the pair to immediately stop the activity.

However, sources close to the operation informed The Shift that Portelli and Agius are not only resisting the latest ‘stop-and-desist’ order but are continuing to use the site to prepare materials for a publicly funded Gozo Ministry project to rebuild the main road from Victoria to Marsalforn.

According to the law, the Planning Authority, managed by Johann Buttigieg, has the power to put an end to this blatant illegal activity through direct action, including closing off the concrete batching plant and the small road leading to it.

Still, for reasons unknown, the PA is refusing to act and is allowing the Gozitan duo to operate as they please, in complete defiance of the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the Lands Authority, which owns the public land, has not even started court action against the illegal encroachment of public property, six years after the activity began.

The latest enforcement order – completely ignored- lists several new illegalities at the Tal-Qattara soft stone quarry, including the construction of a generator room, the placing of containers and mobile offices, and the storage of concrete structures, among other breaches. This order, together with the one issued in 2019, carries a €50 daily fine- an insignificant amount considering the scale of the illegalities and the turnover Portelli and Agius generate from supplying illegal concrete to clients, including the government.

Only a few weeks ago, The Shift revealed photographs of ready-mix trucks belonging to PRAX Ltd – the company owning the illegal batching plant – pouring concrete during the rebuilding of the Marsalforn road. Portelli and Agius were, incidentally, awarded a multi-million-euro contract to build the same road.

The Ministry for Gozo said it was not aware that illegal concrete was being used on the project, while the government’s project manager, Labour official William Lewis, said he would report the illegalities to the competent authorities. So far, it is not known whether any fines have been served on the Gozitan duo.

Apart from the Gozo Ministry, other government entities were also reported to have obtained supplies from the illegal batching plant, including Enemalta and various government departments.

Joseph Portelli and Mark Agius are known to be very close to politicians and financially support both major parties. Before the last election, Portelli organised a fundraising dinner for Prime Minister Robert Abela at Ta’ Frenc restaurant in Gozo.

Recently, Portelli and Agius were also involved in the sale of a penthouse in Victoria to Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes for a bargain price of €140,000. The transaction occurred while entities falling under Galdes, including Malita Investments and the Housing Authority, were negotiating multi-million-euro contracts with companies controlled by the same businessmen.

Prime Minister Robert Abela took no action against Galdes despite claims by Labour insiders of “hobnobbing” with contractors.