From Not. J. L. Attard

I refer to the article “Let there be light… and fire” by Charles Flores regarding the proposed new cemetery at Nadur (TMIS, 25 May). I think this gentleman has not learned enough from his past experiences regarding Gozitan affairs. First he started by stating that the building of the new Nadur cemetery is “horrific”, implying a sort of plot between the powerful to issue the Mepa permit for this project. This is in my opinion a very absurd presumption.

I don’t think that any developer has time to waste and will not surely put his/her energy and input to construct a cemetery for our beloved deceased; they would rather prefer to build a block of flats. I can assure Mr Flores that it is more profitable. The implication that all developers in Malta and Gozo has voted for the PN is too far-fetched; one only need mention the Dubai scandal when several so-called developers went to this place together with a Labour Party delegation.

The author continues by making certain allegations regarding Mepa’s development control commission and that these islands have been brought to their knees due to their arrogance; it sounds like Alfred Sant’s mud slinging. In my opinion the electorate has already judged this type of political strategy in three consecutive general elections. I think arrogant people are those who have not yet realised that thanks to their political strategies, the new voters in the next general election will not have experienced any Labour government in their life.

I must make a clear point regarding this issue. Not all farmers in the area concerned are against the project of the new cemetery. In the past days I made contact with some who are in favour. Through them I discovered that in reality the number of trees in the area is around 1500 and not 5000. Furthermore, the developer is bound to replant every tree he removes to build the project. Again in this assertion there is another similarity with a well-know scandal. Do you remember the Mistra scandal? From 4000 to 8000 and suddenly we discover that there is an extra zero and that in reality it is 400! These people never change and they even refer to the Knights to make their point. What I am sure of is that the Knights were certainly given a dignified burial in a decent cemetery. Moreover, Mr Flores first makes a whole argument that we have more than enough cemetery spaces, but later on he contradicts himself by suggesting cremation as a space-efficient solution to solve the problem of lack of space in cemeteries in Malta and Gozo. Apart from this I consider cremation as something that is found in primitive cultures, Third World countries or the under-developed world. Surely not suitable for Malta or Gozo

In the Nadur context the proposal to build a new cemetery, was and is necessary because the old cemetery is already full up and, more importantly, it is now surrounded by buildings. Therefore the implication that the archpriest is going through all this hassle to make a profit is really out of place. I can assure everybody that the archpriest did not take the decision alone but consulted the parish council and his superior the Bishop. Furthermore, the project also received the approval of the Nadur local council.

Finally, what Mr Flores forgot to mention is that farmers have already taken all the legal action necessary to stop the project in vain. In September 2007 the Magistrates Court denied and rejected the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction to stop the work. In this case farmers made various statements, one of which was that the water supply would be polluted, something which the experts appointed by the court denied categorically.

Are the courts also arrogant? I ask myself is everybody wrong in granting the permit for the development of a needed space where those who have contributed to the building of our country in the past can rest in peace? Or should we burn them and then dump them in the sea as Mr Flores is suggesting? Let the people of Malta and Gozo judge who is right.

Joseph L. Attard

XAGHRA