This government has always believed in non-governmental organisations. It has always been a healthy relationship that dates back years, and that always bore fruit. This relationship has this week been confirmed once again, with the signing of the biggest guardianship deed ever, to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. With this deed, on Monday, more than seven square kilometres of land have been entrusted in the capable hands of FWA, from the Lands Department, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Ministry responsible for the regeneration of Grand Harbour.

Apart from being a fine example of inter-Ministerial coordination, the Valletta Heritage Park project is designed to open to the public areas which to date have been restricted. This unique attraction is planned to improve Malta’s touristic product substantially.

The Lands Department often makes the news with enforcement actions taking place; however enforcement needs to be balanced with devolution initiatives similar to the several we have carried out with local councils and sports associations recently. For public property to be enjoyed by wider sections of society, the Lands Department has engaged in a number of devolution exercises, where public property is passed into the hands of an organisation or entity that will in turn develop it into a project that will benefit the community.

In this sense, FWA is an NGO that can only be lauded for its valuable work in the sector. FWA is nowadays one of our country’s foremost authorities in military heritage, and for this reason the Lands Department has already entrusted the NGO with the St Thomas Tower in Marsascala back in August of last year. The St Thomas Tower project is a fine example of how a building of very significant historic value, which in the past was not being used for the most dignified of purposes, is being turned into a specialised museum for the benefit of Marsascala residents, as well as the Maltese and tourists who visit.

Same goes for the Valletta Heritage Park. The guardianship deed signed last Monday between Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage spans over 7,473 square metres. The Heritage Park will cover Malta’s military history from the building of Valletta in 1566, up to the early 70s at the height of the Cold War. The park is planned to include the bastions right underneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Nato Headquarters, Lascaris War rooms, the St Peter and St Paul Counterguard, and a network of tunnels that link these rooms together.

This is yet another step in the right direction, where devolution of public land moves in synch with the protection of cultural heritage. A right step for better, rational use of land in Malta. An important link in the chain of sustainable development.

Dr Jason Azzopardi is Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance, Economy and Investment Ministry