Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil this morning called on the media, NGOs and civil society to unite with the Nationalist Party in fighting the proposed ‘American University’ on virgin land in Zonqor, Marsascala.
Addressing a press conference after touring the site, Dr Busuttil said the Opposition was not against the development of a new university but the project should not be built on pristine land. He said the government could easily find alternate sites for the university campus, including St Luke’s Hospital, the former Dowty factory in Marsa and the Petroleum Division in Birzebbugia.
Dr Busuttil criticized the project, saying that this was not a university and not American. “What is certain is that this government intends to steal this land from us, our children and their children. There are a number of reasons why the university should not be built here, the most important being the environmental consequences.”
By definition, ODZ meant that the land could not be developed. “This is agricultural land used by many farmers. Their families will be affected but the government has not even consulted with them on the project. Joseph Muscat has again signed a deal behind everyone’s back, without any regard to the environmental consequences and the livelihood of these farmers.”
The PN Leader said the university was being proposed not only on outside development zone but also on land which had ecological and scientific importance. “There are all the ingredients why Joseph Muscat should not touch this land but the Prime Minister wants to steal it.”
Turning to MEPA, Dr Busuttil said the authority had chosen the university site itself. How could it then be impartial when deciding on the project permits? “MEPA has not only become a rubberstamp for this government’s environmental obscenities, it has also become nothing more than a government department which falls directly under the Prime Minister. Alternatives to this site do exist, so why is the government adamant on building the university here?”
Dr Busuttil said the whole area should be left free of development and be declared a natural park. The agricultural land should not be touched and farmers, “the best guardians of the land,” should be left to grow their crops there.
“If Joseph Muscat’s proceeds with this environmental rape it will send out one clear message: nowhere is safe under this government. All of Malta is a potential development site.” He called on all NGOs, the media and the public to unite with the PN in opposition of the project. “If we all speak in one voice the Prime Minister will have to stop and listen. We will not let him steamroll over our, and our children’s environment.”
Asked by The Malta Independent if he thought there were other motives for Dr Muscat to choose this particular land, seeing that this is the third government major project proposed by the government for the site and the close ties several private landowners have to the PL, Dr Bususttil said many questions have been raised. “Why were no consultation meetings held with the farmers? Who are the investors? What are their links with the Prime Minister and with Labour? Who are the landowners, and what are their links with Labour?”
Dr Busuttil said many questions would be answered in the coming days but the PN wanted to focus on the environmental aspect for now because what the government was doing amounted to the “rape” of virgin land.