I refer to the article “Making way for progress? Or sustainable development?” penned by Bernard Busuttil (TMID, 8 September).

The Lands Department is the legal arm by which the government acts to execute such evictions. The Government Property Division was given instructions to evict Mr Zaren Cachia because of the national project you indicated. It is pertinent to point out that the government has been trying to evict Mr Cachia for a considerable number of years, however in view of Mr Cachia’s particular circumstances this has always been postponed. The land was expropriated by the government in 1969 for a public purpose.

Through the Housing Authority, arrangements were made for alternative accommodation to be provided for Mr Cachia in Cospicua when the eviction order was carried out on 29 August, 2008.

When Lands Department officials went to execute the eviction order according to law, they did not proceed purely on humanitarian grounds. Further to this, the Lands Department is closely liaising with the Housing Authority in order to find a suitable accommodation for Mr Cachia, even though strictly speaking this does not lie in the Lands Department remit. Premises closer to Mr Cachia’s current location in Birzebbuga are being considered.

Paul Miruzzi

Director General (Designate)

Government Property Division