Parliament's committee responsible for scrutinising public spending has approved a resolution authorising a 50-year emphyteutical concession on government-owned commercial property at Ta' Qali in favour of private operator Odel Co. Ltd.

The motion, tabled by Minister Owen Bonnici, was approved by Parliament's National Audit Office Accounts Committee, clearing the way for the transfer under the provisions of the Government Lands Act.

The site forms part of the Club Numero Uno complex within the Ta' Qali Crafts Village and covers an area of 5,435 square metres. It includes land that Odel Co. Ltd. has leased since 1976 for catering and souvenir outlets, as well as adjoining land the company had been occupying without formal title but which is now covered by a development permit.

Under the terms of the resolution, the concession will carry an annual ground rent of €126,212. This figure represents 2% of a government valuation placing the freehold value of the site at slightly more than €6.3 million. The valuation was carried out in accordance with regulations introduced in 2024 and updated in 2025 to incentivise long-term investment in government-owned commercial property.

Because the company had been using an additional 862 square metres without legal title, it will also be required to pay a one-time penalty of €431,000.

The Lands Authority said the application met the legal requirements for a temporary emphyteutical concession and therefore required parliamentary approval, as the site exceeds the 1,500-square-metre threshold stipulated in law.

Planning permits covering extensions and structures on the site were previously approved by the Planning Authority, regularising works within the existing Class 4D entertainment venue.

Government policy behind the scheme is intended to provide operators with long-term security of tenure in return for updated rents and formalised titles, while ensuring a steady revenue stream from public land.

The committee approved the resolution on Monday.