Updated: Marsa council complains of lack of consultation on rehabilitation project

Adds ministry's reaction

Marsa council said today that while it was in favour of any project which could improve the Menqa area in Marsa, it could not accept the lack of consultation by Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt.

The government announced last week that it planned to transform Menqa into a prime recreational zone that would include a yacht marina and a 1.2 kilometre promenade.

The council also complained that it had not been invited for Dr Gatt’s presentation. It said it could not understand how it was asked to attend a meeting only after the project was announced and everyone knew about it.

It said it had been requesting a meeting with the minister for months because of the problems faced by boat owners as well as the drainage overflows.

The council said that in spite of this, it remained willing to discuss the project for the benefit of the people of Marsa.

But the Infrastructure Ministry said that what was announced during a news conference last Friday was just that the masterplan being proposed and launched for consultation.

The council, the ministry said, forgot to say that since the government's vision for Grand Harbour was launched in September 2007, it had invited all councils concerned for a detailed presentation.

The Marsa council had not attended the meeting, held on Setpebmer 20, 2007 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.