(Adds government statement)

The Prime Minister was putting the cart before the horse when he declared without any conditionality that part of the American University of Malta would be located in Żonqor, the Nationalist Party said.

This was because the AUM’s application for accreditation was supposedly still under scrutiny, the PN said.

Shadow minister Therese Comodini Cachia asked what was the use of applying for accreditation when the Prime Minister was certain that this would be granted. She expressed her serious concern that the government had no qualms wiping away the checks and balances.

Dr Comodini Cachia said the Nationalist Party deplored the Prime Minister’s bulldozer attitude in deciding on such a controversial application before being given the green light by the competent authority, which further confirmed that independent authorities and the government were one and the same thing.

Disappointment was also expressed by the University Students' Council which reiterate that no ODZ land should form part of a building site, regardless of the
size.

OPPOSITION ATTACKS ANOTHER INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION - GOVERNMENT

In a statement, the government said the Opposition had chosen to attack another independent and autonomous institution, the National Commission for Further and Higher Education.

This was just a few days after it attacked Mcast, another educational institution.

Instead of cooperating for the country to attract more investment, the Opposition opted to remain negative.

“On the other hand, this positive government has managed to attract quality investment which will render the country, particularly the south, €70 million a year.