Momentum has called on government to act swiftly to reclaim Fort Tigné and secure it as a public asset, following reports that MIDI plc has entered into a €2.5 million promise of sale agreement with developer Joseph Portelli.

In a statement, the party warned that the transfer would breach the original emphyteutical deed and risk placing yet another national heritage site in private hands.

The statement came after last week, on 16 December, MIDI plc announced that it entered into a promise of sale agreement with J. Portelli Projects Ltd to sell the lease for Fort Tigne.

The property forms part of the land granted by the Government of Malta to MIDI by title of temporary emphyteusis for 99 years in virtue of a public deed of the 15 June 2000.

The deal includes Fort Tigne', located at Tigne' Point, Sliema and includes the surrounding grounds and a divided portion of land at basement level also at Tigne Point, referred to as an unloading bay, the announcement reads.

MIDI said that the consideration for the sale and acquisition of the property is €2,500,000, payable in accordance with the terms of the agreement, with the final payment to be made on the final deed of sale.

Momentum on Sunday said that under the emphyteutical deed signed with the government in 2000, MIDI is prohibited from transferring heritage assets, such as Fort Tigné, to third parties without prior government approval, and no such approval has been granted.

“The government has previously invested in cultural and community assets for the public good. For example, €9.2 million to purchase the King’s Own Band Club and €21 million to acquire other band clubs across Malta for local communities,” the party said.

Momentum said that, in the same spirit, government should immediately allocate €2.5 million to buy back the Tigné Fort emphyteusis.

“This investment would safeguard heritage, ensure public access, and reinforce Malta’s commitment to protecting national icons,” the party said.

Leader of Momentum Arnold Cassola said that Tigné Fort should not end up in private hands once again.

“It must remain in the public domain, preserved and accessible for the enjoyment and benefit of all Maltese citizens and visitors alike. If we value our history and community spaces, government must act now to secure Fort Tigné as a public asset, not a private hotel,” Cassola said.

The party said that public heritage such as Fort Tigné, which is a historic fortification built in the 1790s, should not be treated as a tradable commodity, and warned that converting the Fort into a hotel would deprive the public of access to yet another national treasure.

MIDI had said that the agreement is subject to a number of conditions precedent which need to be satisfied prior to the execution of a final deed of sale and transfer of the property.

It had said that in the event that these conditions are not satisfied, the agreement will lapse and neither party will be bound to execute the final deed of sale. The agreement will remain valid and effective up to 30 April 2026.

MIDI had also said that no business is currently being carried on by, or through the use of the property.

"The property is currently not occupied by a tenant and hence no annual rental income is being received. Upon publication of the final deed of sale, the property will no longer form part of the company's property portfolio and therefore no rental income will be received by the company in respect thereof,” it had said.

MIDI had said that the company intends to apply the sale proceeds towards the redemption of the company's €50 million bond which is due in July 2026.