From Mr P. Mallia
Over the last couple of weeks a few local journalists have tried to raise the alarm about what can only be termed, in my view, to be a criminal act of destruction of Malta’s already diminishing heritage.
The recent rediscovery of Roman harbour remains near the Menqa in Marsa close to Albertown, has been kept largely quiet by the authorities. Why, one wonders?
Paradoxically, some months ago, a related piece of heritage – the Roman Domus, in Rabat, was re-opened after a considerable amount of restoration with much fanfare and ribbon cutting ceremony by ministers, heritage experts and other local dignitaries.
Yet, this recent find in Marsa, which would put the Domus in the shade in terms of historic importance, quantity of finds and interest, is literally being covered in concrete and bulldozed into oblivion.
Where are the ministers and heritage authorities now? The Superintendence of Archaeology? Heritage Malta? The Minister responsible for our heritage? MEPA?
Contrast the reaction and outcome of a recent discovery of artefacts from the British rule era at Tigne Point in Sliema. The authorities pounced, MEPA hammered out a diktat (rightly so!) forcing the developers to preserve the remains at their own cost!
Yet here we have the pet project of the Minister of Works bulldozing and carpeting with concrete, a full Roman wooden harbour works around 2000 years old, complete with amphorae and other finds. This inter-ministerial and official omerta and the resultant curtain of silence are mind-boggling.
Why has there been no public outcry? No official press statement? No TV coverage? We hear everyone in some position of authority harp on about Malta’s tourist product, the need to upgrade it and introduce new dynamics. I recall some years ago, when a similar find of Roman harbour works was made in Pisa, there was international coverage – which resulted in a huge effort to preserve the site and also to potentially make it accessible to the public.
Here we are with a real opportunity on our hands, to create a new attraction and learn a lot more about our island’s incredible history and it is wiped out, lost forever.
Wake up Malta!!!
Pierre Mallia
KAPPARA