PN Whip Robert Cutajar is calling on the government to implement proposals put forth by the Nationalist Party, which sought to transform areas in Selmun into a National Park that can be enjoyed by all.

In a Facebook post published by Cutajar on Friday, he said that after asking the government for Fort Campbell, Selmun Hotel and Selmun Palace to be returned to the public for years, he was informed that this will not happen.

Cutajar said that when the Prime Minister announced the plans for Selmun in Parliament, he said that Selmun Hotel together with Selmun Palace (as these are connected) will be given to the private sector.

As a result, Cutajar is appealing to the government that these areas should be given to the public, whilst asking: "Why is the PN proposal not coming into force?"

Speaking with The Malta Independent Cutajar explained that between 2008 and 2013, the Nationalist Party had started a process of regenerating the Selmun area.

He said that in 2009, Mellieħa had won an award for the destination of excellence in the European Union, and with that in mind, a process of regeneration with €1.2 million EU funds began.

Moreover, in 2011, the local council, which was then led by a PN majority, had applied to the government to transfer Fort Campbell to the local council as there were plans to make use of the EU funds and restore this Fort as well, he said.

“When in 2013 the Labour Party won the general election and both the government and the local council in Mellieħa underwent changes, the application to restore Fort Campbell was put to a halt, leaving areas abandoned,” Cutajar said.

Fastforward to 2022, Cutajar explained that he called on the government to implement the proposal made by the Nationalist Party in the last general election.

“The government is still in a position to change course and take the decision to keep these areas publicly owned so that everyone can enjoy them,” Cutajar said.

The PN had proposed during the general election that a Nationalist Party in government would create a National Park in Selmun. This would include revising the Selmun Hotel for public use and transforming the areas around the Selmun Palace into a National Park, transforming the Selmun Palace into an interpretation centre for the National Park and restoring Fort Campbell with the purpose of appreciating its historical value, allowing it to be used by the public and voluntary organisations.

Among the proposals, the PN also put forth the idea of restoring the salt pans in Selmun and other historical remains in the area.

Cutajar urged the government to continue working on improving and safeguarding the environment, saying that this issue should have nothing to do with partisan politics, but should prioritise the environment instead.