The government is refusing to publish a memorandum of understanding it signed with a private company – 240 Ltd – to transfer a piece of public land where a swimming pool complex will be built in Gozo.

The announcement of the Natatorium complex project was made by the Ministry for Gozo last November. Few details about it have been given by the government so far and it is not known what type of investment will be made.

However, the ministry had said that, in exchange for the concession, the period of which has not been specified yet, the government would be getting about 10 hours of ‘free’ use of the new complex every week so that schoolchildren can use the facilities.  Also, the government is binding itself to ‘buy’ at commercial rates a number of hours for the use of the complex.

So far the government is refusing to give details of this deal.

Turning down a Freedom of Information request for a copy of the MOU signed publicly last November, and announced through a government press release, the Ministry of Gozo told Times of Malta that the MOU cannot be divulged.

The ministry also refused a second request for reconsideration even when told that since this a public project including public assets (land) the government is obliged to be transparent.

The Times of Malta has now asked for an investigation by the Data Protection Commissioner to reverse the government’s decision.

The building of a swimming complex in Gozo was an electoral promise by the Labour Party.

The whole process to grant the concession is being managed by the Privatisation Unit on behalf of the Gozo Ministry.

According to the unit, despite the MOU, final negotiations are still being conducted with 240 Ltd – owned by entrepreneur Desmond Mizzi – on the terms of the concession. The complex has to be up and running in just a year from the signing of the final contract.

According to the original request for proposals issued in 2015, the pool is expected to be 33.3 metres long and 20 metres wide – too short for standard long course swimming competitions, but large enough to be used for waterpolo matches and swimming lessons. It is also expected to have a 400-seat stand.

No information has been yet given on the date when the new complex will be ready for use.

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