Heritage and environment NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) yesterday welcomed the fact that the government has accepted the NGO’s proposal that the Jordanian university campus be located in different sites, and it also welcomed the choice of Bormla would help as an investment in the Cottonera area.

The FAA, however, said it is “very much disappointed in the fact that, despite considerable protest, the government remains adamant on using ODZ land.

“While we are encouraged by the fact that farmland will not be affected, we still question as to why a considerable part of the land allocated is on ODZ. Could not other avenues have been seriously considered? Why at Zonqor?  

“It becomes increasingly apparent from the reason for refusal of many sites suggested, that the secret agreement signed with Sadeen promised seafront locations. FAA asks since when is a sea view a priority for an academic institution, or are other uses planned the long-term? 

The FAA said that a heritage site such Dock One “has been crying for investment into  top-quality tourism project for years”.

But, it added, “With other Cottonera sites available for the university, some of which have been dismissed for puerile reasons, is Dock One the best option for Cottonera residents, or simply the best option for Sadeen [the university’s developers]? 

“What social impact and traffic studies have been made to establish which type of project would be best for Cottonera’s residents, economy and historic environment?”

The FAA added that, “When a government breaks its own laws about ODZ and fails to place the interests of its people first, entering into secret agreements, painting it as an educational investment when in fact it is a private business, who can one really trust?

“Haven't enough scarce land resources and monuments been lost over the past decades? The only thing being compromised, always, with such 'developments', is the environment and quality of life.

"This whole affair has highlighted this government’s lack of vision, planning and transparency. Undoubtedly, some will have an interest in painting us as extremists simply because we stick to our principles for striving to save the environment, heritage and quality of life of the country we love.”