Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Tuesday evening that after numerous discussions held with Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg as well as Marsascala residents, the Marsascala yacht marina plan has been scrapped.

The project has been the topic of controversy for months since it was first announced, with several protests being held and even the locality's local council coming out against the project.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Marsascala mayor Mario Calleja has lambasted Transport Malta's proposed plans for the yacht marina, but left the door open for a "reorganisation" of the bay as long as it keeps key points which the council and residents have spoken out about in mind.

After hearing the concerns of his fellow Marsascala citizens and consulting with the relevant Ministers, the decision has been taken to scrap the project in its entirety, Abela said.

Speaking at a political event in Marsascala, Abela addressed numerous issues regarding green spaces and giving land back to the people.

He spoke about ODZ land in Zonqor Point (Marsascala). He said that "in line with the Labour Party's priorities, it is only natural to give the land back to the people. We are pushing for a better quality of life closer to home." He was referring to the news that a stretch of undeveloped land at Żonqor Point which was handed over to the American University of Malta as part of a deal will be returned to the government.

Abela remarked that the change in priorities of the labour party comes after Malta's realities have changed. "When we were first elected to government, we had to address the high unemployment rate we were faced with. Today, with the lowest unemployment rate in Europe, we face another reality, that of improving the people's wellbeing."

Abela promised that in his first 100 days in office, if elected to lead the country, the Zonqor Point land will officially be returned to the people.

Apart from this land, Abela also said that the recycling plant in Marsascala will be closed and more than 20,000 sqm of land will be given back to the people.