MP calls for investigation of abusive development of public land

Opposition justice spokesman Anglu Farrugia has urged Parliament to set up a board headed by a judge to investigate abusive development of public land over the past 20 years.

He was speaking during the debate on a bill for the transfer of government properties to sports organisations, the scouts and the girl guides.

The properties will be granted on temporary emphyteusis or rent to Melita Football Club, the Malta Girl Guides Association (properties at Corradino and Gzira), Qormi Clay Shooting Club, San Gwann Fooball Club, Otters Aquatic Sports Club, Zebbug Rangers Football Club, Exiles Sports Club, Bogner Beach Aquatic Sports Club, Mosta Bocci Club, San Sabastjan Bocci Club, Santa Lucija Bocci Club, Southern Shooting Club, Siggiewi Basketball Club, Paola Wolves Sports Club, Victoria Hotspurs Football Club, Gudja United Football Club, Mellieha Scout Group, Hamrun Spartans Football Club, Vikings Sailing Club, Vittoriosa Regatta Club, Marsa Football Club and Marsascala Sports Club.

Labour MP Marie Louise Coleiro expressed her satisfaction that a good number of organisations would be benefiting from the motion being debated.

One had to ensure, she said, that the facilities the government was transferring to the associations would be used for the aims they were intended. Unfortunately, sometimes business was made out of these concessions to the benefit of certain individuals.

Speaking on particular areas of sports, Ms Coleiro said that many horse enthusiasts felt excluded and unable to practice their sport. The costs to use the racetrack were very high and this was leading the enthusiasts to take to the road.

She said that it was not enough for the government to transfer properties; it had to ensure that whatever was generated from the properties was used for the particular sports discipline concerned.

Ms Coleiro referred to the recent Special Olympics held in Hungary during which five Maltese youths with disabilities obtained gold, silver and bronze medals.

This was a voluntary organisation but the government and the sports council had not assisted these people in any way. Had it not been for councils and private companies it would not have been possible for these people to compete, she said.

(Replying later, former Sports Minister Jesmond Mugliett said the government sought to help all national organisations but expected the organisations to be accountable for the funds given to them. The problem in the case of the Special Olympics was that the parameters set by the government could not always be attained. One could argue that there could not be excessive bureaucracy, but the government expected accountability for taxpayers' money.)

Labour MP Justyne Caruana spoke on how the culture of sports should be instilled in children from a very young age.

The premises being given to sports organisations should offer the opportunities for children to take up sports.

One also had to be careful that sports clubs did not end up becoming commercial enterprises. The Maltese Sports Council should take on the role of watchdog.

She pointed out that Gozo lacked a sports swimming pool, an athletics track and other sports facilities. The horseracing track was in a state of neglect.

Anglu Farrugia, opposition spokesman for justice, said the annual payment for emphyteusis or rent being requested by the government for the transfer of properties to bocci clubs was far too high. It had to be remembered that most of these clubs had few members, mostly elderly ones. While it was good to transfer properties to them, one should not add financial burdens. It would have been better had the government consulted the clubs first and raised the charges gradually over a number of years.

The Labour MP also insisted that inquiries, followed by tough action, should be taken against people who abusively took over public property, going as far as to build hotels.

Parliament should consider the setting up of an independent board chaired by a member of the judiciary and including a representative from both sides of the House to investigate reports of such abuse on public land in the past 20 years. The country, he said, should not tolerate people who made themselves out to be stronger than the government.

Carmelo Abela, opposition spokesman for education, asked in what direction sports in Malta was moving. Sports, he said, seemed to have stuck. It required a leap forward but this was not taking place. More professionalism was required, but this depended to a great extent on an adequate budget for sports.

Other small countries had invested greatly in sports and the results were evident. Unless Malta did the same and unless more attention was given to sports in the education system, no progress would be made.

There were 9,000 students at university but how many of them were active in sports? How many frequented the National Pool Complex which was adjacent to university? How many soldiers and policemen excelled in sports?

Unfortunately, Malta still lacked a sports mentality.

It was not just politicians who had a central and important role to play; the Malta Sports Council also had such a role.

While organisations with certain contacts could manage to acquire help from the Lm24,000 the government had allocated for this aim, others did not.

Mr Abela said that Malta also needed to develop sports tourism, exploiting its facilities for this purpose.

The country also had to do more for sports for people with a disability. Equal opportunities should be given to all.

Labour MP Joe Sammut insisted that sports facilities should not be used for other purposes which eclipsed sports. Regular inspections should be held and all steps should be taken to ensure that revenue generated from these properties would go towards the practice of the particular sports.

The debate continues next week, with Dr Sammut in possession.