I am concerned about the recent developments occurring in and around Manikata. About eight years ago, our parish filed an application for the building of a parish centre adjacent to the parish church.

The application was refused because there are cart ruts on the land in question. Cart ruts are also found at ix-Xaghra l-Hamra. There are also giren, rubble walls as well as tombs, probably of Roman origin. The parish community has to do without the parish centre because of the cart ruts, but will the government do without the golf course?

The golf course, the proposed by-pass and the probable reconstruction of the previous Riviera hotel over Ghajn Tuffieha are three ongoing current projects that are seriously threatening to encroach upon the agricultural land of the farming families of Manikata. This will not only destroy farm land but also put the farmers’ livelihood at risk.

My friends and I think that the community of Manikata should come together and do something before it’s too late. If we act together, we can succeed.

Analise Muscat

Manikata