Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1371118
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 MAY 2021 ANALYSIS Investigate Infrastructure Malta, says Moviment Graffitti MOVIMENT Graffitti is calling for a full- scale investigation into the expropriation practices carried out by Infrastructure Malta since its creation in 2017. Reacting to a story in The Times about unpaid expropriations and other unclear procedures, which have resulted in farmers and landowners not receiving the due com- pensation, the activist group said that this amounts to "grand theft, sponsored by the state at the expense of its citizens." The group said it is "disgusted" at the facts emerging from the media and confirmed its intention to challenge Infrastructure Malta's land-grabbing in every means possible. The group also called on the Prime Minister to investigate the matter. "The buck stops with the Prime Minister, who is responsible for his Ministers and CE- Os. We believe that after multiple stories about Infrastructure Malta and the doings of entities within and including the Transport Ministry, there should be a formal investiga- tion to establish why these people have not been paid, despite Infrastructure Malta's re- peated pledges that everything is being done by the book." The group pointed out how the Dingli sa- ga exposed IM's practices: The notification in the Government Gazette concerning the commencement of roadworks only ap- peared on 29 March, a full week after the beginning of Moviment Graffitti's action. However, after activists questioned IM staff on the existence of clearances, notifi- cations and other official paperwork from the Lands Authority, expropriations were rushed through Lands. The notifications in the Government Gazette only appeared on the 12 April, three weeks after the beginning of the action. The group also highlighted how Dr Borg and Ing Azzopardi withdrew their first re- quest for a meeting between the two sides, after unilaterally deciding that the expro- priation issue on the meeting agenda "had nothing to do" with the Dingli saga. "Now we understand why they weren't comfort- able meeting us outside IM's offices," the group added. "We asked an IM foreman called Clint for these papers, but none were forthcoming. This means that IM was trespassing on private property without having the per- mission to do so from all landowners. This incident was caught on one of our lives- treams; Infrastructure Malta realised they were exposed, and rushed the expropria- tions through." "This story confirms our suspicions about Infrastructure Malta's practices. While the law establishing Infrastructure Malta clearly states that expropriations are to follow the procedures of the Lands Authority, it ap- pears that many expropriation requests did not reach the Lands Authority at all. We'll wait with bated breath for Infrastruc- ture Malta to react. Their excuse that works need to be carried out urgently doesn't hold water, because expropriations from around 3 years ago are still unpaid even after some works have long since they've been complet- ed. If Infrastructure Malta will blame it on an administrative issue, then it would be inter- esting to highlight how the same "admin- istrative issues" saw Infrastructure Malta issue €16m in prefinancing to three select contractors, despite tender regulations for- bidding them from doing so. It also seems that these administration issues have not hindered the issue of millions upon millions of euro in direct orders to contractors, while farmers and landowners have yet to receive a cent." The group also reiterated its appeal to farmers to seek legal assistance and to avoid attending meetings with Infrastructure Mal- ta on their own. "We are aware that, after the last press conference in Dingli, IM staff phoned up several farmers on a Saturday af- ternoon, asking them to attend a meeting in their premises in Luqa. We do not recom- mend you attend these meetings without a lawyer, and definitely not to sign anything – particularly under pressure. Moviment Graffitti also said it is monitor- ing the situation closely and will decide on further action in the coming days. THE campaign 'Sustainable Film Industry' marks the success of the Maltese and the Gozitan film crew. "Today, we are celebrating the hard work and commitment of our film crew working in Malta's film industry. It is our crew who kept the industry working from one generation to the other." Film Commissioner Johann Grech said. The Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Clayton Bartolo, stressed the importance of a sustainable film industry. He said that the film industry con- tributes significantly to the local economy, and therefore it is the Government's vision to further strengthen this industry. This is being achieved by heavi- ly investing in the infrastructure at the Malta Film Studios and by creating job opportunities for the many, not the few. "Our vision is to turn the film in- dustry from a seasonal one into a permanent career opportunity for the current generations and those to come. We need to make sure that our children don't just watch movies on television but take ac- tive participation in this growing and resilient industry," Bartolo said. The 'Sustainable Film Industry' campaign, with its key message 'be part of the success', aims to raise awareness of the local film industry, with the objective to en- courage more people to join and be part of the industry, so to create a sustainable film industry for the benfit of all. "Our ambition is to create ca- reers. And we shall not stop dreaming to create a world-class film industry in Malta," Grech said. 'Sustainable Film Industry' campaign launched Dingli: site of the contestation between IM and Moviment Graffitti over its road-building plans