Video: March against controversial Bahrija development

A few hundred people this afternoon took part in a silent march in Bahrija valley against a controversial development on land belonging to PN president Victor Scerri. The land in question is being excavated for the development.

The walk started from the village square.

The protesters, many of whom held placards, included Labour MEPs Edward Scicluna and Joseph Cuschieri, Labour MPs Leo Brincat, Noel Farrugia and Anthony Agius Decelis, PL general secretary Jason Micallef, Nationalist MEP candidate Alan Deidun, Labour MEP candidate Steve Borg, Azzjoni Nazzjonali MEP candidate John Spiteri Gingell and Rabat mayor Sandro Craus.

Environmental non-governmental organisations taking part include Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar, the Ramblers Association, Nature Trust and the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi, Nassaba u Konservazzjonisti.

Some of the placards describe project architect Robert Musumeci as “green politican of the year”. Others explain ODZ as “outrageous developers zone”. One asked X’garalhom il-par idejn sodi? (What happened to the pair of strong hands?) Another said Trid tibni fil-kampanja? Cempel lil Mepa issa (You want to build in the countryside? Call Mepa now).

Astrid Vella spoke on behalf of the FAA saying it was becoming tiresome that although the Prime Minister had said that no development would be allowed in outside development zones, abuses were still being allowed.

She said that when development boundaries were rationalised in 2006, environmental groups were promised these would define development zones once and for all. But applications were still being accepted in ODZ areas.

Mr Bugeja asked if those who kept their mouth shut were approving this development.

In a statement, Dr Scerri insisted that the work being carried out in Bahrija had all the necessary permits and had followed the normal process which went on for a number of years.

Throughout this period, no protests had been made according to procedures and these had only started now that the formal process had come to an end.

The place for protests, Dr Scerri said, was in the institutions which had the responsibility and authority to regulate matters and their time was during the evaluation and decision process.

It was an injustice to allow the process to end without saying anything to use the fact that he was involved in politics to reach particular aims.

His case, he said, had been treated at a technical level and at no time was his involvement in politics been influential.

Why were the protests being held now when the process had taken a number of years and why was the focus being placed on his development were several other ODZ developments had taken place in the past years?

Although it was positive that those who were genuinely interested in the environment scrutinised development, this had to be done objectively, effectively and in a timely manner. There should be no discrimination against those who, like him, were public figures on a particular political side, Dr Scerri said.