Updated 8.25 p.m.
Malta Industrial Parks, the government agency which manages industrial estates, said this evening that it had offered the possibility of setting up a Carnival Village within the Crafts Village at Ta’ Qali, but this was rejected by the float builders,
MIP was reacting to comments by Carnival float builders who complained that they had been asked by MIP to vacate large stores at Luqa once Carnival is over.
Eviction notices signed by MIP Chairman Alan Camilleri were delivered to the float builders by the police yesterday.
A spokesman for the Ghaqda Partecipanti Karnival ta' Malta said this was a major and unexpected blow.
"I do not know how we can recover from this one. By the time Carnival is over, we have to vacate three premises - these stores, Lower Fort St Elmo and the chapel near the Mediterranean Conference Centre. And we have nowhere to go," spokesman Jason Busuttil said.
The enthusiasts were told to evict Lower Fort St Elmo just over a year ago and they were also given advance notice to leave the old chapel.
"We have over the years made various proposals to the authorities over alternative premises, but nothing was ever accepted," Mr Busuttil said.
"Two years ago we asked for €750,000 to build a carnival village with 25 tents, but nothing came of it. Then we suggested using the old, disused Soldini factory but that was refused, even though the factory is still closed. Now MIP are saying they need that factory too.
"We do not know what will happen, many of us are simply thinking of giving up," said an exasperated and downcast Mr Busuttil.
MALTA INDUSTRIAL PARKS REACTION
Malta Industrial Parks in a statement this evening said the site was transferred to its portfolio in 2008 as a result of a new industrial project which required the allocation of land.
It said that since 2008, it had initiated the required action to clear the temporary occupiers, since no trace or proof of occupation was found.
"MIP to this effect, has been in constant and frequent contact with the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (who had given a kind of concession to the occupiers under dubious title) and the Lands Department. This action was stepped up in recent months in view of an instruction from the Magistrate’s Courts to take all the necessary action to hand over the site in its free and unencumbered state to its right title holder."
MIP said that in no instance had it ever allocated the site to the float builders nor had it done so with any other sites to any other float builders in the past.
It was informed that the float builders were granted permission for the temporary use of the site prior to 2008.
With regards to the request for the ex-Soldini factory, MIP said that industrial property could only be allocated to industrial projects as detailed in the Business Promotion Act. Moreover, the location and size of the ex-Soldini factory made it a prime strategic site which was being reserved for potential high value-added investments.
"It is worth noting that MIP had offered the possibility of the Carnival Village being integrated within the Crafts Village concept at Ta’ Qali, but this was rejected by the float builders," MIP said.