Labour to promote the environment even from the opposition benches

The time is ripe to give the environment more legal recognition, Labour leadership contender George Abela said yesterday.

Speaking during a visit to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA) at their headquarters in Bieb is-Sultan in Cospicua, Dr Abela said that the only legal reference to the environment was in the Constitution's declaration of principles. More needed to be done especially now that the environment had moved up the ladder of the country's agenda.

He promised that Labour would help put the historical environment on the country's agenda even from the opposition benches. In government, the MLP would be fully committed not just to listen but also to follow the advice of organisations such as FWA.

He commended FWA for being fully committed to preserving and rehabilitating the island's historical heritage adding that there should be a partnership between the government and the private sector to sustain such organisations, which were also providing tourist attractions.

Mario Farrugia, the foundation's CEO and chairman, said the NGO, set up 20 years ago, had 2,000 members and 28 employees. It had 32 ongoing projects, some very small and others on a much grander scale such as Fort Rinella.

Asked whether FWA got any assistance from the government, Mr Farrugia said the government provided some help here and there but the time had come for it to start giving regular assistance.

The FWA was taking care of government property, paying nominal rent, and collecting money to rehabilitate such property.

The money it collected from membership did not even cover administration costs.

Other funding was derived from the rental of places under its responsibility for private functions, the sale of merchandise and from visitors.

He pointed out that although one had to pay to visit FWA's sites, one got very good value for money with guided tours, re-enactments, audio visual presentations and free transport.

The mentality of getting everything for free, Mr Farrugia added, had to stop. Someone had to pay for any service being given.

Because FWA wanted to make a statement about Cottonera, it moved its headquarters to Bieb is-Sultan. As a result, many more people were discovering the area.

The FWA wanted to set up a visitors' centre and to hold walks along the nine-kilometre long Cottonera Lines which were inaccessible to the public.

Bieb is-Sultan, which is the highest building in Cottonera, overlooks the newly-built sports complex close by, which, it was pointed out by Mr Farrugia, jarred with the historical environment.