Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett has shown that he is ready to ride roughshod over residents' concerns regarding the so-called regeneration works being carried out in the locality, ADPD the Green Party said Thursday.

In a speech delivered yesterday at what "we are sure are going to be multiple ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the so-called regeneration project", the Minister stated that the ferry project will be proceeding and that the service will be running as from the end of this year/beginning of the new one.

Marsaskala resident and ADPD-The Green Party candidate for the 3rd and 4th districts Brian Decelis asks: what level of arrogance is required to assume this outcome before the planning process is even concluded? Why is there a planning application at all if the Minister already knows the permit will be approved and the project will proceed regardless? Is this really the trust and transparency they expect people to believe in?

Bonett referred to "partisan comments" in response to the public criticism surrounding the ongoing works, ADPD said. But people are reacting for very real reasons.

Previously we were promised that the arches would be restored. Yet works have continued and there is still no visible sign of any reconstructed arch. Instead, what people are now seeing on site appears to be a stepped construction rising onto a promenade used daily by the general public. Why is this being built without any clear public explanation or transparent plans? Is this another surprise that people are expected to simply discover after an election?

"We are witnessing palm trees being almost completely uprooted, with a serious risk that they will not survive. Construction debris has visibly been allowed into the sea, even emerging from the silt curtain that was supposedly there to contain it. To date, there are still no publicly available plans clearly showing what is happening on the promenade," Decelis said.

ADPD said it is four-square behind the Marsaskala Residents Network and other people of good will making sure that the residents' voices are heard. And it is not acceptable for ministers and public authorities to push a narrative that attacks or dismisses those who genuinely love this locality and want it to retain its natural richness, identity, and beauty, concluded Decelis.