Carmelo Abela says a concrete structure at the army’s maritime base has “beautified” the area, proving the adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The angular concrete behemoth was widely criticised when it was erected at Haywharf because it blocks from view a stretch of the Floriana bastions.

But the National Security Minister was unfazed by the criticism yesterday at the unveiling of the “rapid launch facility” that forms part of a newly-built complex at the army base.

When quizzed about his comment, Mr Abela denied the government had disregarded the environment, insisting it had closed the Marsa power station after years of failed promises.

He said the structure, which houses a 20-tonne crane, was needed so that the armed forces could speedily deploy two high-powered boats simultaneously.

Mr Abela said the concrete structure, adjacent training facilities and offices had replaced dilapidated buildings that were an environmental eyesore.

The development also caused outrage because it benefited from special provisions at law that exempt structures required for national security from undergoing a planning process.

The concrete structure as seen from the sea. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Environmentalists questioned whether the concrete bunker could threaten Valletta’s Unesco World Heritage Site status but a spokesman for the UN body had arguedthe development fell outside the site boundary and posed no threat to the capital’s status.

The facility cost €5.5 million and was part-financed by the EU. It was conceived in November 2012 and took seven months to build. The development also included an extension of the quay.

A demonstration by the army’s elite ship-boarding unit showed how the high-speed seacraft could be deployed in just a couple of minutes.

Armed forces commander Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi said the facility would drastically reduce the maritime squadron’s reaction time. Mr Abela said that the development formed part of government’s commitment to strengthen border security. It was one of 13 EU-financed projects to modernise the army, which included new aircraft and patrol boats.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com