In recent months and earlier, land speculators and developers with close ties to the Labour administration have been buying up (or attempting to) pieces of land in Zonqor, where the American University of Malta is set to be built and in Tal-Barrani in Bulebel, where Josie Muscat will build his new St James Hospital in what is purely land speculation, this paper can reveal.

Information obtained by The Malta Independent on Sunday gives rise to suspicion that these people were tipped off by the party now in government about which areas were earmarked for development. Acting on this information, these speculators have been trying to buy up pockets of land in these development areas or nearby. The value of agricultural land in ODZ areas is relatively low but could spiral upwards if the development of ancillary facilities - say a cafeteria near the Bulebel hospital, or student accommodation near the university in Zonqor - should be allowed in the future.

History repeats itself

Several parts of Zonqor already belong to a number of people who were close to former Labour minister Lorry Sant. This paper recently revealed how these people "bought" cheap land in Zonqor after being tipped off in the 1980s that a road would be passed through fields in the area. The plan did not materialise but, if it had, these fields would have suddenly become available for development. That was the law at the time. When the plan fell through after the PN's 1987 electoral victory, those who had bought fields ended up owning just that - agricultural land, which was worthless to them. Some of them have consistently tried to obtain development permits. One of them - Michael Axisa 'il-Lay Lay', even built illegal structures which were later demolished. The Jordanian university project could finally rid them of their unwanted fields in return for compensation.

In recent years and months, however, other developers have sought to buy fields in Zonqor, possibly after being tipped off that the PL government was about announce a major development project in the area. A well-known developer, for example, tried to buy a farm in Zonqor only last November but was unsuccessful. Some eight years ago, a farmer found the same developer in his field, taking measurements. The developer told him that he had bought the field but this later turned out to be untrue. The same person had also tried to acquire land near the Zonqor Battery but the sellers refused when they realised who he was.

The perfect excuse

People from the area told this paper that a couple of developers have long had plans to develop a hotel in the area. The university could provide them with the perfect excuse. Curiously, the footprint of the proposed university - which takes up several farmers' fields - circles around a particular plot of garigue land (see picture). It is understood that the plot in question belongs to two private owners. Part of it is the same area where the aforementioned developer was found taking measurements. The other half belongs to a well-known Labour activist. At present, the area is surrounded by buildings on two sides. If the university is built, the plot will be surrounded on all four sides. Half of it already falls within the development zone, the other half is ODZ.

A source explained that this could serve as a perfect excuse for the entire plot to be declared within the development zone, since it would not make sense to retain a relatively small piece of land, surrounded by buildings on all four sides, to remain ODZ. The owners could then apply for a permit to build 'amenities' to the university, such as a convenience store or accommodation. This scenario is made more plausible by the fact that the 4,000-student university will only accommodate 1,000 first-year students - the others will have to look for accommodation. An accommodation block right next to the campus would be more than ideal.

Same people bought land in Bulebel

The plot gets even thicker. At least three of the Zonqor landowners also own, or have recently acquired, land in Bulebel, where Josie Muscat's new hospital is being developed.

People in the know confirmed that the well-known developer mentioned above recently bought a field that almost touches the hospital footprint. The whole area is ODZ and the field is agricultural. Once again this begs the question as to why a big-time developer and speculator would buy agricultural land close to a pending large-scale development project? The reason is, most probably, not for growing potatoes. One of the most plausible answers is that the land was bought cheap and will later be sold at a good profit when the hospital is built and there will be a good chance that ancillary facilities are permitted on adjacent fields.

This paper is also informed that these shady deals usually involve middlemen as the speculators try their best not to leave a paper trail, especially if they occupy key positions in government. At least one of these speculators bought land through a third person, so that his name would not appear on any contracts. It was explained to us that speculators engage other people, whose names are not well-known, to buy the land on their behalf in return for a share of the profit.

Who is tipping them off?

One of the most pertinent questions is: how do these people know where best to buy? Reliable sources said that at least some of these developers are being tipped off by their "friends" in government, who pinpoint where best to make these lucrative transactions. Some of these developers are known to have helped the Labour Party in recent times, particularly in its election campaign. Others might even have helped the party cosy up to contractors and developers. Promises were surely made at those famous meetings held on the fourth floor of the PL headquarters in Hamrun. This might well be the reward.

A source referred to the recent Gaffarena expropriation scandal as an example. Mark Gaffarena, whose family has been at the centre of a controversy over an illegal Qormi petrol station, purchased half of a Valletta property weeks before it was expropriated by the government. He received €1.6 million in cash and lands as compensation. The previous owners reportedly were never told about the government's intentions to expropriate the building, but Mr Gaffarena knew.

PL media now silent on ODZ hospital

Sources pointed out to this paper that, while the Labour media had harshly criticised Josie Muscat's ODZ hospital, its guns have metaphorically fallen silent on the issue. Some years back, Dr Muscat was at the receiving end of a media barrage, particularly after he demonstrated his intention to push ahead with his plans, even after Punic remains were found on the site. A report carried in the PL's Sunday paper Kulhadd decrying Mepa's decision to allow Josie Muscat to destroy 31,500 square metres of ODZ land comes to mind. The PL media has, of course, shifted its stance now. It is also - as expected - supporting the Zonqor university project. The sources asked if this was being done in order to convince people to favour the project, which would, in turn, benefit those who helped Labour win the election.