Dwejra eyesore still there, AD complains

Dr. I. Atia

Aug 5th 2008, 12:04

@ Mr. Joe Schembri

After calling Malta's political-economic system an Arab style dictatorship, I feel it's necessary to apologize to the governments of the Gulf states, where they seem to be able to value their (foreign) human resources and are not shying away from developing green initiatives as financially viable and worthy of international praise.

Dr. I. Atia

Aug 5th 2008, 12:01

@ Mr. Joe Schembri

Your 'seeing red' is amounting to the exact sentiments used by the government when they blame the foreigners (EU) for trying to interfere in their national policy of destruction and when stopping people to take a non-traditional (AD) stand against the abuse of national (both natural and intellectual) resources.

Your use of the word 'guests', makes it very clear that you are either unaware or in full denial of the fact that the Maltese economy is completely dependent on these 'guests', whether as tourists, as property owning (and tax paying!) residents, or as Malta based companies. The destruction of the landscape discouraged enough of these foreign investors, so please stop scaring the rest of those who care (the AD has a high percentage of foreign residents in its ranks) off the islands, with your irrational nationalist banter. Should citizens of Maltese origin be denied the right to express their opinion on local politics, when they are living and working in another country?

Claire Farrugia

Aug 1st 2008, 17:22

As usual....any removal of any illegal building or any other law enforcement, depends on WHO is the owner or responsable. Next to my house, a site is being built, it has 2 facades on 2 streets. As far as I know, the law tells us to put a wall of at least 8 running rows. Here there are only 4 rows built from one street and 6 from the other. I phoned MEPA approx 2 months ago and was told that the owner was contacted, yet nothing has been done. I phoned the police and again MEPA (no answer) I too often see children playing by the wall, looking over to see the level dug. They innocently try to push bricks over and they also pretent to tip over each other from the legs while the other is looking down. These sites are truly horifying. As usual actions are only taken when too late. Well.... my door wount be open for questions or Xarabank if any accident should happen....I think I have done my part. Respect the children please.
My conclution is IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ARE DEAR.......NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO ON THIS SWEET LITTLE ISLAND OF BLOOD SUCKERS.

Joseph Schembri

Jul 31st 2008, 20:08

I wish that people especially politicians would stop using the word 'development' (svilupp) for anything that will negatively affect us and future generations. It has become a euphemism for many things that are ugly, harmful and destructive.

Joseph Schembri

Jul 31st 2008, 20:01

@ jo Said,

I take it that you are Maltese like am. I'm sorry that I appear foolish and blinkered in your eyes. I too agree with most of what is being said here and fully support AD but being so much in love with my country I sometimes see red when foreigners, 'guests' here, make sarcastic, unfair and often untrue comments about our country and people.

S.Sammut

Jul 30th 2008, 17:13

I keep on asking myself what on earth attracts tourists to visit this jungle of concrete land? The more 'development' is permitted the less remains of natural beauty areas. There will come a time when those who chose to come over here for a week or two will understand that some over here in their money greed euphoria have managed to kill the last remaining of natural beauty spots. It would be too late to turn back the clock and many of us would have to contend with the guilt of having sat impassively and watched the ruin take place. But Mepa is reformed, or so we hear the oracles of the regime dictate. Long live gonzipn.

P.Agius

Jul 29th 2008, 22:46

I believe that the Ministry of Gozo and San Lawrenz local Council should work together and be at the lead of enforcing seriously the demolition on the concrete construction and the preservation of the natural beauty (and not thinking of how to preserve the votes) not only of Dwejra but of the whole island of Gozo, we have already lost most of the natural beauty of Malta. those who really love to visit Gozo would like to admire the natural beauty of the island.
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIALTELY. MEPA PUT YOUR FEET DOWN AND TAKE ACTION.

Joe Aveline

Jul 29th 2008, 16:48

The continuing existence of the monstrosity must surely be down to the lack of clarity and joined up thinking within the framework of the law. It is no easier in Malta than anywhere else. The law should state which bodies have the powers to enter private properties and under what circumstances. E.g. a couple may have an argument, which is private, but if one harms the other it becomes a crime scene and the Police have a right to be there.
The Local Councils should have a mandatory role in all planning matters. That role should extend to monitoring the construction. Their final sanction would be the right to enter the property to rectify any anomalies with what had been agreed. The costs incurred to be borne by the owner of the property.
By ignoring the democratic presence of the Councils in planning you get situation where nobody can be seen to be blameworthy or suffer at the hands of the citizens for their misdeeds.
I was glad to see another corespondent naming names! Great.
Clearer laws, and more democracy will take time but an early start would send the right message.

RAMONA SARGENT

Jul 28th 2008, 21:56

WE DON"T NEED FOR ANOTHER DUMPING SITE,NEAR THE SEA.
THIS IS OUR COUNTRY HOME AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN GOZO. REMOVE IT BEFORE WE LOSE IT !!!

Muscat Peter

Jul 28th 2008, 20:58

The million euro question is: who is really behind this developement?

Michelle Attard Tonna

Jul 28th 2008, 17:27

I wonder ... with the new strategic plan of Gozo being an ecological island coming into force ... where do such blunders fit in?
It is a shame that we are being fed so much nonesense like the environment being a priority and that the island's heritage will be protected, yet such monstrosity (and several others) never seems to disappear.

D.MANGION

Jul 28th 2008, 10:45

Had such an article appeared during election fever time. This page would have been filled with PN apologists uttering all sorts of praise to their "pro-active" government and poking fun at the dream laden AD arguments.
Now they are so silent.
They know that AD speaks about the issues all the time, everytime. AD does not do it to fish for votes. AD uses all of its (limited) energy to improve the future of these islands.
Yet...come election time...most people will again be suffering from mass amnesia. Malta's string pullers will again help their puppet parties to yet another victory. AD's limited energy will still not be enough. The youths will again go the huge mass meetings in search for a drink and a partner but nothing else. Nothing will change.
Dr. I. Atia is right all the way.
Yet...although one day he might really get fed up, and give up, AD will not give up. AD is becoming notorious for its ability to live-on and rise from the ashes, no matter how many times it was considered as being dead and buried.
Long live AD.

Veronica Farrugia

Jul 28th 2008, 07:48

The same old story. If you have enough money and you have the right connections you can do what you want on this island! Isn't it enough that most of our beautiful island is being taken up by buildings. Was there a need of another eyesore in Dwejra. Film makers chose the breathtaking view of the 'window' as the place where Neptune spoke to Ulysess a few years back....
It's time we start appreciating the natural beauty of our islands. So please wake up everyone before it's too late. Together we can make a difference.

Jo Said

Jul 28th 2008, 01:06

@ Joseph Schembri

Dr Atia wrote ''As history often revealed, people get the leadership they deserve'' And he is absolutely correct, Mr Schembri. To enforce his statement he hammers home the following ''Malta can thank its blatantly corrupt ruling class for becoming an Arab-style dictatorship (it really is a one-party system, with the same people running both parties behind the screens) that is an embarrassment to the western world. You once again voted for them and think that you are not to blame for any of their decisions after that''
Mr Schembri, if you think you are doing the rest of us Maltese citizens any favours by showing how small minded you are, please desist. I for one agree entirely with what Dr Atia wrote and that is exactly what the Maltese parochial mentality needs, so as to, one day, remove the blinkers that blind it so foolishly. But I opine it is very important to first acknowledge the problem. Having done so, you may learn how to remove the blinkers and eventually commence to see the broader picture.

Richard Schranz

Jul 27th 2008, 22:57

Gozo, our charming and enchanted sister isle, is being continously and sytematically ravaged by semi-illiterate, insensitive and unscrupulous developers, who seem bent on making quick and easy money, even at the cost of eliminating, at one fell swoop, one of the island's most scenic natural attractions, seemingly forgetful of the fact that Gozo's heritage goes back hundreds of thousands of years. if not millions! Time for action! Stop this devastation and destruction. Remove this monstrosity and do it fast!

Joseph Caruana

Jul 27th 2008, 20:00

The simplicity of the neccesary action is the prove that its not inability but the unwillingness to do something about it by the nationalist govermnet.
The answer being to take it down.
What did they hope for? that the seas calm down and that the project was restarted in a year or two?? There is no point of debate the building is illegal and unwanted. It must be demolished

Charles Sammut

Jul 27th 2008, 18:16

Is this what Giovanna Debono have in mind when she is referring to ECO-GOZO? To quote Ronal Reagan and his famous Berlin speech in 1982 .. "Honorevoli Tear down that gross structure.. Can't you see that it does not belong at Dwejra?" Unfortunately it is not blocking her driver's view so what's the urgency?.

Elsa Meyland-Smith

Jul 27th 2008, 10:07

I am a permanent resident and love the Maltese islands. But - I am very upset that the building trade continues to get away with the despoiling of my new home. Even if the Maltese islands were huge, and the damage could somehow be accommodated, it would be wicked to so harm our heritage. It is wrong for many reasons - not least economical reasons. Who is going to use or buy these wretched buildings when not only visitors and tourists but also locals turn away in disgust from what will soon be a totally barren landscape? The builders are 'shitting in their (our!) own nest' - and our Government are letting them get away with it.

Robert Callus

Jul 27th 2008, 10:07

When the (Gonzi?)PN came with the idea of eco-Gozo, at AD people were stunned since since when the Green Party proposed the same thing a year ago there was no reaction.
However, humbly, the Greens said nothing, hoping that at least the idea is taken and Gozo will be saved.
Unfortunately we were decieved once again. Eco-Gozo is just a scam, a pre-election farce and examples like this (together with many others) prove it.

Joseph Schembri

Jul 27th 2008, 09:34

Dr I. Atia, Centre for Earth Resource Management said:
"Your own young people relayed to me, during the various classes and lectures I have given around the country, that they see no future on Malta and just want to get out as soon as they finished their free, but low quality, study."

@ I. Iata
No wonder you consider it 'low quality study' if you are delivering lectures with the pomposity and cynicism with which you wrote the above! If I were your employer I'd consider your offensive comments a serious breach of ethics and terminate your employment. BTW, a quick internet search gave no results for your name so I am wondering how important you are in the grand scheme of things on this tiny planet which whether you want it or not you have to share with us poor sods living in an 'Arab style dictatorship'.

Miriam Debono

Jul 27th 2008, 05:01

Someone commented that AD should bring out names.
Why?
Is it not so obvious?

Who does not know the name of Giovanna Debono (Minister for Gozo)
Noel Formosa (Mayor of San Lawrenz)
Joseph Cassar (applicant)
Said Construction Ltd (the poor workers)
Any connections?
I suggest The Times to publish some features about the dark ages or better still the feudal systems of yesteryear Malta.

Dr I. Atia, Centre for Earth Resource Management

Jul 26th 2008, 22:53

As a professional in tourism development and a senior academic consultant, I can say that I am getting fed up with Malta.
It simply beggars believe that a place so steeped in historical importance (that all of you seem to be proud of) and natural beauty, is being regarded as a short term money maker for native property owners and ego tripping politicians, who probably plan to retire abroad anyway.
Your own young people relayed to me, during the various classes and lectures I have given around the country, that they see no future on Malta and just want to get out as soon as they finished their free, but low quality, study. Their intellectual input is not appreciated or utilized by a generation of power mongering semi-literates.
Malta can thank its blatantly corrupt ruling class for becoming an Arab-style dictatorship (it really is a one-party system, with the same people running both parties behind the screens) that is an embarrassment to the western world. You once again voted for them and think that you are not to blame for any of their decisions after that.
As history often revealed: 'people get the leadership they deserve'.

Gerald Fenech

Jul 26th 2008, 20:19

Yet another example of the total state of inertia under a Nationalist government. The incredible thing is that one of the most beautiful of all tourist attractions has to be ruined by this horrifying montrosity and then we speak of making the island an ecological one. What a joke, what a tragedy. One has to give up in this country.

mario borg

Jul 26th 2008, 20:13

why complain?!...gozo was declared an eco-island a few days ago by the minister for Gozo, everyone is happy especially the major of san lawrenz and his fellow pn voters, and the sun shines brighty over the maltese islands...please hand me that banana over there!

c galea

Jul 26th 2008, 20:09

Want to hear the joke of the year?

GOZO is being promoted as ECO ISLAND!!!

With Hondoq ir-Rummien, Ta' Cenc, Ramla, Dwejra, and the 100 tumoli of orchards and fertile land just below the proposed Nadur cemetery all ear marked for destruction.

What is going to be left? The concrete jungle of Marsalforn, Xlendi and Mgarr!!!.

Alex Vella

Jul 26th 2008, 20:01

What are we saying here?
Once the irreversible step has been taken to sanction the illegal scruffy dirty ugly boat houses (sic) on the site the new concrete structure presents such a contrast that it shocks your brains as to how such an aesthetic achievement can take the attention from the beauty of the site. Is it not perhaps repeated in Malta? Take the cage-rack Midi development on Tigne Point next to a characterless tower and ugly square buildings that manages to take all the attention of beautiful baroque Valletta. Is it not another aesthetic masterpiece in the annals of MEPA. That is the mentality - take it or die.

Bernard J Schranz

Jul 26th 2008, 19:59

Driving down to Dwejra from San Lawrenz one is regaled with an outstandingly beautiful scene until they get to the bottom of the road to witness this monstrosity which is only making mockery of us as a national unfortunately.

Seems to me that Gozo has a government of its own with such atrocities taking place and nobody high up batting an eyelid.

This horrendous skeleton should be torn down and replaced with a more aesthetically pleasing structure that befits the place. And whilst you are at it, tear down the illegal boathouse which have mushroomed all over the place and are used as summer residences please.

This concrete structure is making a laughing stock of whoever applied for EU funds to build it in the first place. Do these people perhaps feel that we should be grateful for their scandalous project simply because it is co funded by the EU.... frankly I doubt how much the EU truly knows about this actually.

Have not enough Gozitans travelled far and wide enough to know that such monstrosities are a shame to their homeland! Wake up before its too late.

Mary Anne Zammit

Jul 26th 2008, 18:42

It seems to me that this continous recklessnes of natural resources is being reflected everywhere and there is no effort to stop this. On one side of the coin the island is promoted as a haven of natural beauty and at the same time leaving this monster welcoming our tourists. Sooner before we think this country will end up a deserted concrete island. And where is MEPA, anyway?

Andrew Sandars

Jul 26th 2008, 18:17

Once again MEPA shows itself to be a "toothless tiger". It is little wonder that it is held in contempt by many people. The failure by the Government to put any backbone in the system damages the reputation of the Government and Malta's standing in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Margaret Richards

Jul 26th 2008, 18:07

There's just one comment i can do when I see these things.....................WHAT'S NEW!!!! Irregularities, creating hideous buildings, obviously with or without permission, no legal enforcements and the increase in all types of allergies have been the order of the day in Malta for years and years. May I ask..........is this type of building, if one can call it that, part of the project of agri tourism in Gozo??? An answer would be very much appreciated!!!

Roger Flett

Jul 26th 2008, 17:42

The whole idea of a conservation area seems to have gone right over the head of the Mayor, the Tourist board, the Ministry and Mepa. The story boards proudly announce a fish and bird conservation area but fishing boats and shore fishermen continue to cast their lines and pots, and trapping sites abound. The car park is not built of natural materials as was muted in the plan, unless asphalt is indigenous to Gozo. To make way for the easy parking of the Hawkers a number of beautiful tamarisk trees were simply chopped down. This area has three of the highest profile attractions on Gozo, the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and the Azure window. Will no one step up and preserve them? I despair.

mario agius

Jul 26th 2008, 17:41

it must belong/have belonged to somebody. is it that difficult to find this somebody? or is it a fact that this somebody has rendered himself untouchable? AD should also come out with names and not just a picture of a building. The common man in the street has been seeing the building but HE can do nothing about it. If names are known bring them public, if not, get them and AD like all other important entities should know how to do it.

Anne Marie Kissaun

Jul 26th 2008, 17:15

MEPA will never learn. No matter how much people are complaining nowadays, all this seems to fall on deaf ears. We talk a lot about the product that Malta is/should be affording to the tourist, what a joke. We are the laughing stock. SHAME on the government that has not done much up to this point in time to take a hold of MEPA as we were promised during electioneering time. I am sure that if Heritage Malta, Din l'Art Helwa and FAA will take over MEPA, they will definitely make a good job of it and we would be able to put our minds at rest. Shall we try?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz Harris

Jul 26th 2008, 17:08

As regular visitors to Gozo we have been horrified by this eyesore. Dwejra is one of the most beautiful parts of Gozo and this constuction site is impossible to ignore.

Tourists will vote with their feet and choose not to return to an island that does so little to preserve its history and charm by allowing a monstrosity such as this to remain.

The Azure Window is featured on the side of London buses. What a let down a visit will be for tourists expecting to see a beautiful natural park.

Simon Mizzi

Jul 26th 2008, 17:03

Whats this malarky about Gozo being slated as an Eco-Island ? Dwejra, Hondoq I-Rummien, Ta Cenc, Ramla l-Hamra and no official comment to stop all this proposed developent? You're having a laugh...

Jo Said

Jul 26th 2008, 17:02

The present Minister for Waste used to also monitor the notorious MEPA in the previous administration. He made a mess of it and was dismissed by Dr Gonzi. I do not intend to bore you with his gaffes, but this one at Dwejra is the epitome of the man's total disregard to and for the environment.
Enter Lawrence Gonzi, come in. Not that he was out, mind you. He used to sanction the Authority's environmental blotches, anyway, at each Cabinet meeting and as it's head. The excuse was that Pullicino was incompetent to handle the monster. So Gonzi apologised to the nation, lest his party would be shown the door at the then upcoming elections.
March, April, May, June and July have gone and passed since then. Five months of GonziMEPA later, and the hideous concrete structure at Dwejra is still upright and annoyingly so. It only takes a day to knock this eyesore down. That is, of course, if one is honest and if one does his work with vigour. Come on Lawrence, show us that you are in charge. Please do not try to explain your lethargy and why. Just clean the mess up without further ado.

mark causon

Jul 26th 2008, 16:13

This is a typical example of the state our country is in, we ruin the environment, we destroy our tourisim, we take no action on the excuse that this monster was part of an environmental project funded by EU money to make Dwejra a nature/ecological park. But though if i am not mistaken what do we expect when we have partners in this project such as a local council, an environmental NGO , the ministry of Gozo, MEPA and they all agree that for a nature park to function properly THEY need a visitors centre, and my oh my what a centre they came up with, a huge building which renders the whole idea of the project as a big farce.

S Bartolo

Jul 26th 2008, 16:11

I have to agree with Mr Pollacco that anyone with any sense of intelligence and appreciation of the island will only be disappointed with how Gozo " tries " to take care of itself. It is time for the authorities to come to terms with what is happening to Dwejra, to Gozo. More action,less talk please!

Henrik Piski

Jul 26th 2008, 16:11

I wonder why there is no enforcement on this site when for example coffee shops and restaurants have their chairs and tables removed from authorities while on this protected touristic site, law and order is still not existent. How can Gozo be advertised as eco-island when concrete jungle is growing everywhere, eyesores are rising like mushrooms? It is a shame that we citizens can not take any legal actions against MEPA employees for their responsibility in deteriorating our living conditions and the heritage of the Maltese. All MEPA can do is just destroy everything which exist to satisfy the greed of a few. I think it is great time that we citizens become responsible, discover the persons, groups, companies responsible for the rape of our unique environment and just boycott their services, products to make them aware that they also need us to have their business running and that they can not keep on continuing like that.

Sharyn Chamberlain

Jul 26th 2008, 16:06

Dwejra is a place of outstanding beauty and a place we recommend holidaymakers to visit. It is shameful, that this structure has been allowed to stand. when MEPA stopped the project- in March.
Why is this being allowed to happen? I believe that all the building and destruction of Gozo's places of beauty will eventually drive tourists away

Carmel Cacopardo

Jul 26th 2008, 16:06

Not taking action for so ong means a stamp of approval by the authorities for all the irregularities that have taken place.

elsie coucom

Jul 26th 2008, 15:50

I simply cannot believe that nothing has been done about this monstrosity, especially considering all the letters and complaints! It is now the middle of the tourist season and I just wonder what visitors must think. What excuse does MEPA have this time? Can't the Gozo Tourist Association do anything about it? It is very, very sad to see Gozo going to the dogs! Although I live there several months of the year, I am afraid I cannot recommend it to anyone anymore.
It is about time the Government (PM) made good the promise to reorganize and clean-up MEPA and to stop ODZ development once and for all!

Alex Cortis

Jul 26th 2008, 15:12

When are the Maltese going to wake up and see how ugly their Islands have become? Isn't it about time they protested a bit more, so that monstrosities of this nature are no longer built and those that are be removed even through compulsory purchase? I fail to understand how the Authorities can pretend nothing is wrong! The banana republic mentioned earlier seems to gain more credibility with each montrous project that gets approved!

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 26th 2008, 14:48

In a few months time I will be in Gozo for my annual holiday and I know already that it is going to feel so much different this year. This concrete eyesore has ruined the sight from the top of the hill leading down to the Inland Sea.

My usual trips to Hondoq will be spoiled by the thought of an impending marina development hanging over it like the Sword of Damocles. And these are only two examples of how little Malta appreciates its tourist trade.

All this is made worse when we remember that all these crazy decisions are being made by Mepa, one of who's primary objectives is to protect the environment. In every other country I've been to they go out of their way to protect their tourist assets. Because of Mepa, which is obviously, either corrupt or totally inept, Malta's assets are being sold off to the highest bidder.

Dr Lawrence Gonzi promised to make big changes to Mepa if he got back into office. Well sir you are there so it's time to put those changes into action whilst you still have what could be loosely described as a holiday destination.

Miriam Galea

Jul 26th 2008, 14:37

"80 enforcement notices in Dwejra alone...including the Chapel"
I'm sure these will remain 'notices'
Too many votes to loose Govanna.
Forget about MEPA reform please. We have 5 more years in POWER.

Francois Spiteri

Jul 26th 2008, 12:48

It seems Mepa is still toothless.... so much for the electoral promises!

M. Debono

Jul 26th 2008, 12:31

It looks normal to me. It shelters tourists from the direct scorching sun during the day, whilst visiting Dwejra:)))

Chris Borg

Jul 26th 2008, 12:23

No wonder Malta is suffering a brain drain .... anyone with half a brain and the opportunity to leave the island won't think twice.

It's disgraceful the way Malta is being treated.

L Galea

Jul 26th 2008, 12:15

"Par idejn sodi"

D Cini

Jul 26th 2008, 11:25

what else to expect of banana republic?!

Steve Pollacco

Jul 26th 2008, 11:16

I've just recommended a visit to Dwejra to two of my friends visiting Malta and Gozo. Big mistake. Anyone with any sense of intelligence and appreciation of natural beauty will only be disappointed by how those in authority allow this to happen. Only a few miles down the road we were recently treated to an enforcement just feet away from evening diners. Clearly too many people to upset and too many votes to be lost - and lets not forget that tourists don't vote. Unless it's with their feet.