“I am not here to defend the PN’s past environmental mistakes but to learn from these same mistakes,” Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said this morning. He was speaking during a meeting with Front Harsien ODZ, a “citizen’s movement” which is opposing the Zonqor university project and other future projects on ODZ land.
Dr Busuttil said the PN had done much for Malta’s environment, especially when the country joined the EU, but mistakes had been made and these could not be defended.
He said the PN’s policy fora are still drafting up the PN’s updated policies on the environment. “I will not pre-empt their work but, broadly speaking our position is that ODZ land should be respected and only projects that cannot be built anywhere else should take place on such sites. Even so, disused land should be considered and ODZ should only be the final option.” Dr Busuttil referred to the Ta’ Barkat sewage treatment plant, which was criticized by the PL in recent weeks. “It is obvious that projects like that one could not be developed in residential areas. Then again, the government has identified a piece of pristine land for the university project.”
Dr Busuttil said the Opposition has taken a clear stand against the Zonqor project for environmental as well as educational and transparency (or rather the lack of) reasons. The Local Plans, he said, designated the area as a Natural Park and that is how it should remain. He also referred to the Legal Notice which the PN claims reduces the criteria for an organization to apply for the title of university and said the Zonqor development is neither a university nor American. “Decreasing the number of courses offered is, in itself, a reduction in standards. The Legal Notice is also giving the Minister discretion to give the title of university even to those who do not deserve it.”
Asked about Martin Scicluna’s comments last week, Dr Busuttil said he agreed with him when he gave the government zero points on the environment but disagreed with Mr Scicluna when he defended this Legal Notice. “We cannot always agree on everything,” he said.
There was also the issue of bad governance, with a government that was insisting on handing out a piece of virgin land to foreign investors. This was being done with a complete lack of transparency. The fact that part of the area identified for the project belongs to private land owners also gives rise to suspicions of corruption. The PN Leader also accused MEPA of losing its independence, citing the example of when PM Joseph Muscat had pressured it to green light the LNG tanker proposal.
The PN leader lauded Front Harsien ODZ, which has garnered wide support and will be organizing a protest later on this month. Dr Busuttil said the PN was willing to take a step back and allow civil society to make its voice heard seeing that the Front was taking the lead in the university saga. “This is about protecting Zonqor, not about who takes the credit for it.” He confirmed that he will be attending the protest as a private citizen.
Front ODZ spokesman Michael Briguglio said that it is hoped that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat would also attend and, maybe announce that the project has been called off. “I hope that this ‘Government that listens’ will listen to the voice of the people.” He also hoped that the PN, when in government, will continue to show the same sensitivity to the environment as it is doing now.
Mr Briguglio said the front will for a second time call on the government to publish all agreements related to the American University of Malta so that the public, and MPs can be better informed when debating the subject. The front, he said, had written to all MPs asking them for their position on the Zonqor project and the use of ODZ land in general. In the coming days the list of those who answered and those who did not will be published. Dr Busuttil said all PN MPs had replied collectively.
Journalist James Debono, who forms part of the front, noted that the PN did not have a positive past when it came to the environment but said the front appreciated the support shown by the party. He said he hoped that the PN would remain consistent on the subject even beyond the Zonqor issue.
Asked how confident he was that the PN was in for the long haul and was not just jumping on the bandwagon to score some political points, Mr Debono said the PN had to show its commitment through actions. The law, he said, stated that Zonqor is designated as a natural park and any development there would be illegal.
Environment Shadow Minister Marthese Portelli said the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment will be discussing the site selection report on Monday and invited the front members to attend and give their contribution.