Government accused of ignoring Cottonera

Opposition Leader Alfred Sant has accused the government of taking Cottonera residents for a ride by repeatedly failing to implement its promises to regenerate the area.

Among other pledges, the government has been "talking" about the development of the historic Dock 1 for no fewer than 10 years, he said.

Addressing a news conference alongside Dock 1, (right) Dr Sant said it was high time for the government to act on the projects it has long drawn on paper.

Despite its historic worth, it is estimated that just eight per cent of Malta's tourists visit the Cottonera.

A Nationalist Party publication sent to residents before the 1996 election claimed that Dock 1 would be transformed into a commercial centre, complete with apartments, an amphitheatre and a children's playing field, among others. The government had announced that work on the dock would kick off this year but this has now been postponed by another year, Dr Sant said.

Among others, Cottonera had been promised an underground car park in St Margaret Square, a hotel which was meant to be completed by 2008, the development of a commercial complex, and the restoration of the Macina. The application to restore the former Labour Party headquarters was submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority five years ago.

Cottonera deserves more than empty promises, the Labour leader held.

In contrast, between 1996 and 1998, their Labour government had drawn up a regeneration plan for Grand Harbour, intended to help the Cottonera.

Despite being in the opposition, the MLP set up a Cottonera joint committee in conjunction with the local councils in the area to promote tourism and tackle the problem of illiteracy there.