Joseph Muscat has now confirmed that his government plans to allow part of the new university to be built at Żonqor Point, in Marsascala.
In doing so he has gone against the sentiments of all those who participated in the largest pro-environment protest ever held in Valletta in June and, also, against the other thousands of people who may not have been able to take part but who are, likewise, against any development outside development zones.
Dr Muscat may argue that he had taken note of the pro-environmentalists’ feelings because only part of the project will now be allowed to be built at Żonqor. But this cuts no ice and the interpretation of the government’s decision is that, no matter what, it means to have its way.
According to one newspaper report, Dr Muscat has admitted that his government could have been more sensitive in the siting process but he was quoted saying: “However, we cannot now be absolutist and decide not to build it anywhere.” This is a most confounding statement because at no time has any pro-environment organisation told the government not to allow the Jordanian investors to build a university in Malta.
The pro-environment lobby is only arguing that there is no need to build the university, or part of it, on one of the few remaining stretches of virgin land in the south. The government’s reasoning for wanting to have the university in the south – to generate new economic activity there – is flawed, for the island is far too small to take such matters into serious consideration.
At any rate, if it is absolutely necessary to have it in the south, because that is the wish of the Jordanian investors, then other locations ought to be found.
Żonqor is far too precious an area to be encroached upon. Once touched, it will be ruined.
The country and its people still do not know what the Jordanian investors’ wishes are. Unsurprisingly, the government has also held back from publishing the contract signed with the investors.
Dr Muscat reduces the matter to an election issue: “I am ready to take decisions and to pay for them at the voting booth. I might reap the fruit and I might lose points.”
Within the context of the national interest, whether the Prime Minister and his party win or lose votes at the election over the Żonqor issue is of no importance. In a democracy, governments come and go.
If Dr Muscat chooses to have his way, he and his government would be laying the foundation stone for the destruction of Żonqor Point.
He prefers to turn the matter into a challenge, when, evidently, there is absolutely no intention on the part of the environment organisations to challenge the government.
Dr Muscat said his was a “decision-making” government. It is, of course, fine for the government not to delay decisions longer than necessary, however, at the end of the day, what really counts most is not the number of decisions taken but whether or not the decisions are right or wrong. It is on this premise that the government will be judged by the electorate.
The government’s flawed thinking is reflected in a clause in the strategic plan for environment and development which states that where no other feasible alternatives exist in an urban area, development may be permitted outside the development zone. If this clause is retained, it is likely to open the floodgates for rampant abuse.