The historic 'tower' (coastal battery) in Qbajjar (Gozo) is at risk of collapse, and the Minister for Gozo would he held responsible for doing nothing about it, the shadow minister for Gozo, Chris Said, said in Parliament this evening.
He explained during question time that the tower (built in 1716) had been in private hands and the lease holders had allowed it to fall into disrepair to the extent that it was now at the risk of collapse.
After the term of emphyteusis expired and the former government moved to retake possession, a court case was instituted.
Dr Said asked Gozo Minister Anton Refalo what his ministry was doing to ensure that the tower did not collapse. Would he consider expropriating it int he same way as properties had been expropriated near the Ċittadella, or would he take action to ensure than the tenants maintained it properly?
It would be useless crying about the loss afterwards, he said.
Replying, Dr Refalo said it was a PN government which had handed the tower to private owners. Now that there was an ongoing court case, he did not think the government should intervene through expropriation.
Furthermore, this was a matter for the Lands Department, not his ministry.
PRETI PAINTING
Dr Said also asked what would happen to the €400,000 Preti painting recently bought by the Gozo Ministry until the new Gozo Museum was opened.
Dr Refalo said the painting would serve as an attraction at the Gozo Museum in the coming years. The painting was currently in Brussels and the government would decide where it would be kept until the museum opened, but it would not be at the Gozo Ministry.
Dr Refalo took a dig at Dr Said for calling this work of art as a pittura, saying it showed how his awareness was limited to the Nadur carnival.
Dr Said said it would be up to the people to decide, but he later said the minister’s inaction on the Qbajjar tower showed his lack of interest in Gozo’s own heritage. If the tower collapsed before the ministry took action, the minister would be seen as responsible, Dr Said said.