We should begin by calling it by its appropriate name and that is the University of Sadeen.  Not the De Paul University as it was first introduced to us, or the American University of Malta which we have learnt it is not, nor the University of the South, used in place as a euphemism when the former came undone.  Twist and turn it as you like but this application to build on ODZ in the south is nothing more than the college university and dormitory building of Sadeen.

The Minister for the Economy can hide the Heads of Agreement as much as he likes but he is only exposing the weakness of it all, his own insecurity and the need for time to re-package and re-exploit the minds of those whose need to believe is greater than their faculty to call a spade a spade.

No amount of facetious remarks by the Prime Minister, much as he does excel in this demeanour, will get him out of the corner he finds himself in.  Hysterics from the government’s side are also not enough to compensate and create the impression of control.  It has become clear to all who have the mind to see it that what has been presented as an investment is really a usurpation of public property and an unwelcome dark horse for the south. 

The idea of increased business for the region was quickly rolled out.  The sound of tills ringing in the cash as they did when Marsascala was a holiday destination with the Jerma Palace and the retired foreigners living there, came to mind.

 A few weeks later it is clear that pork chops and chips are not quite on the menu.  On the contrary, it would appear that new catering outlets, such as take-aways, would be needed to service the new patrons whose strict religion demands that they eat only Halal food. 

As for sales of alcohol, this too would not be bringing down the delivery vans anymore than they already do.  At most, an Arab supermarket, with halal food would be needed.  I love Lebanese food and Moroccan is known to be amongst the best cuisines in the world, so a new restaurant serving middle eastern food would be nice. 

Another angle presented to the audience was that of sports facilities which would be built and could serve the Zonqor area.  Apart from the fact that Xghajra has a lovely football club with new turf, that they built with the help of PN funding schemes, the new Sadeen gyms and pitches may have some restriction to players in shorts and exposed mid-riffs. 

Whether or not the wearing of the scarf would be necessary, remains to be seen.  There are several International Schools in the Middle East, such as in Dubai which has the most western attitude, but even there, Muslim culture prevails. 

The dormitory is probably the largest footprint of the campus.  If this is what is to remain sited on Zonqor ODZ, that would be a clear indication of its real purpose as a hotel, if not immediately, then in the future.  It is also to be kept in mind that the 4,000 students would not be enrolled at once but over a few years, much in the way they are meant to be for Barts in Gozo.  Building a large, hospitable and good standard hostel with amenities, in the south would be good for tourism as long as it is managed and marketed separately from the university, attracting tourists from Europe and selling its accommodation service to the University of Sadeen, as normal paying clients.  This way, at least, tourism can grow and a mix of tourists would benefit the area, whilst creating an opportunity for local investors and employment.

Since the faculties, as it would appear, are to be rather few (hence the change in the requirement standards of a university), it may even be possible for them to be absorbed by existing facilities in private colleges or the University of Malta itself.  Would Mr Sadeen like to build a new block and facilities at the UOM?  That would be a nice investment for Malta and the mix of students would give a good international feel to the UOM, even more than it already enjoys.

The Prime Minister, though, prefers to fire shots at Busuttil and the Opposition, marking them as the enemy, rather than the legitimate representatives of the minority of Maltese citizens. He ignores the majority of objectors and the worries of hard working farmers, who are anxious and vexed at the prevalent lack of information and threat hanging over their livelihoods.

The level of protectionism is worrying.  Is it due to secrets that are hiding the true nature of the application or is it due to lack of confidence in the project? 

Had Dr Muscat and his ministers been at Zonqor point last Sunday, it would take only one glance to realise that the whole idea of evicting working farmers from there, displacing land and disturbing this gem of place, is quite out of the question.  Already the caravans and camps are being set up on the edge of the coast, as locals can’t wait for summer to come and with it their tranquil and relaxing days waking up to beautiful sunrise and moonlit sunsets over the shiny blue sea.

It would, though, serve us better at this stage, to stop calling the University of Sadeen an investment because there is nothing or little to grow from it for the local community.  That fake reaction when we receive birthday or Christmas gifts that we absolutely cannot see ourselves getting to like and looking to exchange or re-gift them to someone else at the first possible chance – that’s what they are calling the investment but the people are too considerate, afraid or repressed to say the truth.  The UOS is like that. 

Unless it is done in collaboration with local investors and existing infrastructure, it cannot be deemed an investment.  Bringing in other players, though, such as English language schools, which will be needed to bring the level of English of the students up to the required standard and the academia of Malta, both from the private sector and the public university, can work to integrate the project in the country as a whole. 

The lowering of criteria should be reversed immediately, before word gets out and all help given to raise the profile of the Sadeen campus.  If it were to form part of the UOM, as an independent faculty, then it would already have the status it needs. Alternatively,  it should be pitched as an academy rather than have our university criteria lowered to accommodate it as a university.

In all of this struggle, we cannot forget the same logic which is being applied to the shooting range on the doorstep of Mount St Joseph and to the housing project in Gozo.  Dressing up these dark horses in genteel gowns is simply snobbery and seeks to deceive.

All the energy being spent on propagating the myth of wealth and investment is detracting from the serious attention that is needed in addressing the real problem of those who are falling behind and facing difficulty in keeping up with their bills. 

More pressing even is the situation at Mater Dei, only to be exacerbated with the withdrawal of overtime for doctors.  It has all the makings of a major crisis in it.

Such decisions indicate a more serious problem at the heart of the economy.  All resources should be used to tackle the emergency before it grows any more dramatic than it already is. 

The time is opportune for a complete make-over of government policies.  Starting from the bloated cabinet, to the non-starter power station and its risk to human life, to the building on ODZ wherever it is, to the sale of passportsand all the other pseudo glam look-at-me cover-ups. 

Then the real investments can find a home and our country regain some self-respect. Much work is needed to be done for this government to redeem itself  from the recent blunders but a change of direction, back towards Europeand European values will surely be a good place to start.