Sant spells out MLP's plans to regenerate ports

A future Labour government would investigate if and how the conditions imposed on the Cottonera Waterfront Project were being observed, Labour Party leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

The new government would get things rolling so that the much-needed yacht marina project would materialise in a short time.

"A project which was designed to provide a new tourism focal point and employment for people from Cottonera, as well to regenerate economic activity in the area, has simply been sacrificed to speculative interests," Dr Sant said.

Dr Sant was speaking during a tour to a number of sites from Gzira to Cottonera earmarked for projects mainly in partnership with the private sector.

He said a future Labour government would also revive the Connections Project that would link Marsamxett Harbour to Grand Harbour through tunnels, and also link the upper and lower part of Valletta.

As with the marina, Dr Sant said, projects already underway and being implemented under conditions approved in parliament would be allowed to go on, but a Labour government would push to speed them up.

Among the projects that the MLP would use to regenerate the ports areas were the Fort Tigné/Tigné Port Project; Manoel Island; Fort St Elmo; St George Square, Valletta in connection with the Connections Project; a commercial pedestrian zone in Valletta; site of the Royal Opera House/Freedom Square; Sea Passenger Terminal; Dock No 1; Cottonera Waterfront Project; St Angelo; Fort Ricasoli; and the Carnival Village.

Dr Sant was accompanied on his tour by deputy leader Joe Brincat and spokesmen Karmenu Vella, Charles Buhagiar, Charles Mangion and Joe Debono Grech.

Dr Sant said the Grand Harbour area was a prime site and a Labour government would give the private sector space to join in its development. With its tourist potential and other attractions, the whole zone could again become the motor which drives the country's economic development.

Mr Vella said the cruise passenger terminal project was late and by now it should have already been completed.

Dr Sant said this project needed to be put on the fast track and criticised the government for the delays.

A Labour government would carry on with its plans for a public/private partnership to develop the Opera House and Freedom Square site, partly into a commercial centre and partly for public use.

Referring to the shipyards, Dr Sant said that two small private shipyards that operate in the port, such as those of Bezzina and Cassar, could also be integrated in the shiprepair business. Certain incentives given to industry should be extended to the small shipyards whose commercial activity in Grand Harbour should be recognised.

Mr Buhagiar said a Labour government would be seeking a use for historic forts around the harbour area, while remaining sensitive to their importance.

He said that part of Fort St Elmo, which was in a state of abandonment, was partly being used by Carnival float builders. A Labour government would provide a Carnival village in the ditch outside Floriana.

Labour also planned to pedestrianise or semi-pedestrianise the commercial centre in Valletta.

The site of Dock 1 would be developed into a promenade linking Vittoriosa to Senglea.