U-turn on golf course driven by votes - Sant

The government's decision to turn Xaghra l-Hamra into a nature park rather than a golf course was "merely driven by a fear of losing votes", Opposition leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

Despite public opinion and the split in views at Cabinet level, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was determined to forge ahead with plans to build a golf course, Dr Sant claimed.

The Labour leader was speaking during a visit to the Manikata area and congratulated the Manikata farmers for their "victory" by convincing the government that it was mistaken in its choice of venue for a golf course.

He claimed that Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit was one of a number of ministers who objected to the project since he realised that the water table in the area would have been contaminated.

The prime minister however persisted with his choice to the extent that he commissioned a Lm300,000 plan to see the project through. Dr Sant recalled that the MLP was among the first to criticise the government's decision to opt for Xaghra l-Hamra, which was met with a chorus of disapproval by environmental organisations.

The delay in deciding about the project exposed the government's incompetence and its lack of strategic aims, Dr Sant charged.

The Labour leader promised the Manikata community that, once in government, his party would assist the Mellieha council's request to inject funding into agro-tourism and agriculture in the area.

Dr Sant and other Labour MPs also paid a visit to Bugibba, St Paul's Bay, Qawra and Xemxija to hear the laments of operators, who feel aggrieved with the "lack of attention".

The Labour leader accused the authorities of abandoning such an important tourism area, despite its potential and the willingness of operators to make the necessary investment themselves.