The golf course saga: some misleading arguments

As mayor of Rabat, and therefore one who is actively and consciously involved in local politics, I only took a clear stand against the proposed golf course at Verdala following in-depth discussions with the Rabat councillors, the developer, Angelo...

Before taking a clear stand, I had two options. I could either avoid making my position public and privately tell both the farmers and the developer that I support them both. In this case I would have undermined the interests of both. This would however be the typical stance taken by a politician who treats individuals solely as potential voters.

The other alternative was to take an informed and public (not private) stance in favour or against the proposed development. I chose the latter primarily because I believe that land must be protected and farmers have the right to till their land without any pulling of strings from any developer.

I could have chosen the first option, as others have done, promising jobs to countless locals possibly after agreeing with the developer who would employ them on my request ensuring myself of votes for the next election. However, I purposely took the other stance. I chose the second stance and made it public because I am a public figure involved in local politics.

Quote me correctly!

Those who took a different stance from mine are misleading in their arguments because they selectively focus only on one detail proposed in the motion against the proposed golf course. As mayor of Rabat, I proposed a motion against the proposed golf course but the same motion clearly states that the council is in favour of creating work, investment and substantial development. Politics demand clear positions and clear actions and I believe that good politicians are only those who clearly and publicly declare their interests and stands.

The way I see it, politicians who have remained silent or, worse, have planned their political campaign just to gain votes at the expense of the farmers concerned and the land beneath the Verdala Hotel, must reconsider their position to be deemed true politicians. I am optimistic that in the coming days others, even from the other side of the political divide, will reconsider their position after a very long period of silence.

Motion against golf course

The motion against the proposed golf course gained support during a council meeting where all Labour councillors voted for it, two Nationalist councillors abstained (though one of them declared that he was against the golf course), and only one PN councillor voted against the motion. It is therefore misleading to give a different impression.

The motion clearly states: "In the light of, and taking into consideration, all that is said and written about the development of a golf course in the area beneath Verdala Hotel, the Rabat Council feels that it should make its position clear in the immediate and future interest of the locality... The Rabat Council declares its position against the type of development as proposed in the area beneath the Verdala Hotel but is in favour of any development which enhances and respects the natural, historical and cultural attributes that distinguish this locality."

This is the council's position. It is true that I am against the proposed Verdala golf course and my position is in line with the Rabat council's position. It is a position supported by Alternattiva Demokratika, many other NGOs and pressure groups.

This position received further support recently by the commission set up by the Church in Malta which declared that a golf course at Verdala, Rabat, is unsustainable and a breach of land-use and other development policies.

Hence, it is blatantly deceptive to state or give the impression that only a handful of people are against the proposed Verdala golf course or that we seem not to be aware of the whole situation.

Jobs, jobs, jobs

Another misleading argument is that anyone who is against the proposed golf course is neglecting job opportunities. In an article in The Times I wrote that I am all in favour of job creation but I do believe that the latter has to be done in a sustainable manner and not through elephantine projects which would register heavy environmental impact.

Job creation should take place in tandem with environmental protection and not vice versa. This view is in line with the council's motion: "The Rabat Council declares that with the interest of safeguarding and enhancing the local environment for the benefit of residents and of the nation, is in favour of investment, work and sustainable development of the locality in particular and according to the local characteristics and the historical and cultural values that distinguish this locality from others."

In my article I stressed that job creation in the locality of Rabat can be achieved through several other ways mainly through the restoration of what we already possess rather than through the destruction of virgin land. There are countless historical sites in Rabat crying out to be restored, which have the potential to be transformed into state-of-the-art museums or tourist attractions.

In an interview I gave to Gensillum, I asked why the Verdala Hotel was still closed. I am still posing the question weeks later. In the interview I also asked whether the developer could guarantee that the 200-300 jobs that are hypothetically expected to be created by the reopening of the hotel will be given to Rabat residents. To date, I received no assurance from the developer but only speculations and rumours from a few individuals to mislead our clear and public position.

Another untruth which has emerged is the one implying that the council, or myself, is opposing the opening of the Verdala Hotel. At no time and in no circumstance have we discussed the opening of the hotel because our clear opposition is only against the proposed golf course. I have to emphasise that our motion is supported by a very clear and important statement in favour of jobs, sustainable development and investment. Thus, I wonder why those who are opposing our stance against the proposed golf course are implying otherwise... unless they are driven by some other hidden motives, perhaps political ones, from someone whose interest is only to win votes!

Looking ahead

The Rabat council, led by a Labour majority, is working in the interests of all local residents without any political distinction. It is working very hard in the field of tourism and in many other fields. I will only quote a few examples of tangible investment by the local council in the tourism sector alone.

The local council is still honouring previous twinning agreements and on July 3 I signed an agreement on behalf of the council to set up an exhibition of collected art works by Mattia Preti in Viterbo in December. In this art exhibition, works by Preti from around Europe, including six from Malta, will be exhibited and probably inaugurated jointly by the Presidents of Italy and Malta.

We are now working on a new twinning agreement with two other foreign cities concentrating on agritourism. The council has proposed and is currently working on the legal side of a guided tour for local residents and tourists around historical places in Rabat.

Our council has drawn up a calendar of social and cultural programmes and activities throughout the year. The council has commissioned the first book about our locality and has just reached an agreement with a private company to produce a distinctive souvenir representing Rabat's social, cultural and architectural history. Substantial financial investment from the local council's budget and Government's aid are being spent on infrastructure particularly in places which are much frequented by tourists.

Imagine if the developer could reach an agreement with the council to further support such tangible, possible, and desirable initiatives. Imagine if the private sector could join forces with the Rabat council to help preserve Rabat! I would be the first to support and engage in such investment which should attract tourists of different cultures and interests. My door is always open for such partnership agreements with the private sector.

Frank Fabri, B.Ed. (Hons.), MA, is currently reading for a doctorate at the University of London and is also mayor of Rabat.