In a reaction to last Sunday’s article revealing that the government had purchased on Castle Hill, Victoria from the family of a former Labour Party candidate for an inflated price, the Gozo Ministry has insisted that the property was acquired for a fair price and that the valuation was established by the Lands Directorate.

Following is the ministry right of reply in full:

“The Ministry for Gozo refers to the article by The Malta Independent on Sunday with regard to the expropriation of a house at Castle Hill in Victoria Gozo and ruins at the Cittadella.

“The Ministry for Gozo categorically denies the allegations put forward by the said newspaper namely that the property in Castle Hill was overvalued. It is hereby being clarified that the valuation was established by the Lands Directorate and the acquisition of the said house was subject to prior approval from the Managing Authority (Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division PPCD).

“The location of this property is strategically located near the proposed Visitor’ Centre of the c and would provide the necessary space in the immediate proximity of Cittadella for the housing of the administration office as well as the support services required for the maintenance and upkeep of the Cittadella.

“It is also the intention of the Ministry for Gozo to demolish the second floor of this house which is blocking important views to and from the Cittadella. In this way the streetscape of the most important access road to Cittadella will be restored to a more homogenous one with the height of all the properties respecting the same height.

“For clarity’s sake, it is to be highlighted that prior to its acquisition by Government the said property was on the market for a price of €512,000.

“With regard to the expropriation of ruins within the Cittadella walls it has to be noted that the significant part of the Cittadella is made up of ruins. Over the years, successive governments have realized the importance that these ruins which are of an archaeological, historical, and natural value are acquired by the government to ensure their preservation and proper upkeep. Before the cleaning and consolidation exercise undertaken by the current EU co-funded project these ruins presented themselves as abandoned and derelict fields overgrown with weeds and shrubs and full of debris and other waste. They were a major source of complaint by visitors to the Cittadella.”