Some weeks ago, a newspaper carried an article by Architect Scerri who, by listing “facts”, attempted to justify the new Nadur cemetery, while trying to placate the farmers.

It is always interesting to read “the facts”. However, the facts presented come from the interested party so, in view of all the hoodwinking that abounded in the past by similar interested parties, how many people actually believe them?

How many people are wondering why, on top of the Ramla l-Hamra development permit, on top of Ta’ Cenc, we now have another swathe of land that has been granted a permit that will effectively rob Gozo of more of its natural beauty?

Some of the stated facts may, indeed, be true for the time being, but some relate to the future. Will they be true facts later on? We have been told that the graves will be sealed exactly like a water reservoir and, I quote, “the possibility of contamination does not exist”. Bold words! How can anyone be certain of this? Have no reservoirs ever leaked? Have all the possible circumstances that may make them leak been foreseen?

We have all learnt from experience that whatever Man makes does not come with a 100 per cent guarantee. I am not versed in law, yet I suspect that the unequivocal certainty declared by Mr Scerri in his article commits him and the Gozo Curia to a 100 per cent legal guarantee with the farmers against any and all damage as their assurance has been given publicly in writing. If some graves do leak they will probably contaminate the water aquifer. If it does become contaminated due to leakage; if, for any other reason, the farmers are deprived from using that water; if they are deprived from using that land should, for example, the heavy work being conducted accidentally divert the course of the underground stream; what will they do?

Would they docilely give up and give in, or would they sue the Church and Mr Scerri for damages and loss of livelihood? Has the Curia put aside a hefty sum of money for any eventuality that may arise, in the likelihood that the plaintiffs could win? Especially if the case goes before the European Courts, where the Church’s influence may not cut much ice. Most other European cultures have managed to liberate themselves from the shackles the Maltese nation still labours under.

I have read that heavy clearing work of the area has already begun. The fact that the Gozo Curia had it started with so much alacrity, rather than pause with mature prudence reflects badly on it. It had the opportunity of setting itself up as an example of rectitude to others and allow further time for discussion of the project. It could have waited for the EU to have its say, as the EU, if it so decides, could still enforce that the area be returned to its former natural state.

The time may have come for cremation to be offered as an alternative to burial as it takes up less space; and fire, being a natural cleanser, would automatically eliminate the risk of ground contamination. It may then become easier to find a smaller burial site so as not to spoil and rob us of yet another area of God-given natural beauty.

Alexander Cortis

ZABBAR