Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1440009
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JANUARY 2022 NEWS Vacancies in the Ministry for Health The Ministry for Health is seeking to employ: Retired/Retiring Public Officers within the Healthcare Professional Grades to perform duties on a full-time/part-time basis within the Superintendence of Public Health within the Ministry for Health Eligible applicants must be: • Healthcare Professionals who have reached retirement age (not more than 70 years of age) or are expected to reach retirement age by the 31st December 2021, AND who were either retired/retiring public officers A copy of the call as advertised in the Government Gazette of Friday, 24th December 2021 may be obtained from the People Management Division (contact details below). Applications are to be received through the Government Recruitment Portal only through the following link https://recruitment.gov.mt by not later than 17:15hrs (Central European Time) of Friday, 7 th January 2022 Any further information may be obtained from the: People Management Division 15, Palazzo Castellania, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1171, Malta Telephone: +356 22992604 Email: recruitment.health@gov.mt MINISTRY FOR HEALTH 15, Palazzo Castellania, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1171, Malta Tel: 22992604 Email: recruitment.health@gov.mt JAMES DEBONO THE Turkish embassy in Malta is firmly objecting to a propos- al to erect an industrial garage complex next to the Ottoman cemetery in Marsa. A two-storey complex of 67 industrial garages and basement on a 5,320sq.m site, adjacent to the protected Turkish cemetery, has been recommended for ap- proval by a Planning Authority case officer. But two weeks ago, the PA's planning commission chaired by Claude Mallia post- poned a decision on the project, asking for revised plans due to concern on the impact on the historical monument. A final decision is now expected on 26 January when the new plans are assessed. "We are not only concerned, but also gravely concerned and highly disappointed on the said development, after the first two attempts to build a petrol station in 2016 and an industrial com- plex in 2019 had been averted with Turkish and Maltese joint efforts for which we are grate- ful," said Muzaffer Yuksel, a counsellor to the Turkish em- bassy, The embassy spokesperson described the Turkish cemetery as "a symbol of eternal friend- ship between Turkey and Malta" which is "to be proudly cherished for future generations" and also as "a monument of our common historical and architectural her- itage of joint pride as well as one of Malta's most-visited touristic destinations". The outstanding architectural value and historical interest of the Turkish cemetery was rec- ognised by the Planning Author- ity that has listed this heritage building as a Grade 1 monu- ment. The cemetery was built at the request of Sultan Abdulaziz dur- ing his visit to British-ruled Mal- ta in 1867, and was designed by renowned Maltese architect Em- manuele Luigi Galizia in 1873- 74. The cemetery is called the 'Ottoman Taj Mahal' or Malta's Taj Mahal because of its extrav- agant Orientalist style. "It is the eternal resting place not only of the Turkish martyrs but also nationals of other coun- tries," the embassy spokesperson told MaltaToday. The Turkish embassy is warn- ing that the building of an indus- trial complex on the land adjunct to the cemetery will have an enormous detrimental impact on this architectural gem. "The construction of a massive block next to a 19th century architec- ture will completely be incom- patible with good urban design. It will overshadow the promi- nence and unique glory of the Cemetery and destroy the visual integrity of the area. Moreover, it highly risks its physical dam- age if realised." The embassy pointed at the vulnerability of the cemetery, with damage sustained by one of the small minarets of the ceme- tery as documented in a photo- graph taken just a few days ago. The damage is unrelated to the proposed project but highlights the urgency of protecting the building from encroaching de- velopment. "This demonstrates how a his- torical building can be such vul- nerable and its preservation with its environs requires a dedicated and persistent concerted effort as it deserves," Yuksel told Mal- taToday. Apart from the risks posed to the cemetery, the embassy spokesperson described the pro- posal as a betrayal to Galizia's exceptional legacy. But despite the threat, the Turkish government is hopeful that their concerns are shared by the Maltese public and authori- ties. "While we're searching ways to prevent such an undesirable and irreversible outcome, we are assured that the same views and concerns are shared by the Mal- tese authorities, Maltese people, NGOs and media." As proposed, the garage com- plex along Triq il-Qasam In- dustrijali will have a height lim- itation of 12 metres. Along Triq il-Marsa, the building height is being staggered from 6m in the vicinity of the Islamic cemetery, to 12m. In addition, the first- floor level was set back by 11m. "We rely on Malta's support in order for this proposal not to be permitted and architectural value of the site be forever pre- served," the embassy spokesper- son told MaltaToday. Previous plans to build a petrol station in close proximity to the cemetery were shelved following strong objections from herit- age campaigners and the Turk- ish embassy. Architect Conrad Thake, who long campaigned to preserve the cemetery, had described the plans as "nothing sort of barbaric." The Turkish government, which is the cus- todian of the cemetery, had also presented its objections to the proposed petrol station before these plans were abandoned. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt (Left) A graphic representation of proposed development next to Ottoman cemetery (Top) Photo of recent damage sustained by one of the cemetery's minarets Turkish embassy tells MaltaToday it is "gravely concerned" at proposed garages next to Marsa's Ottoman cemetery Turkey objects to garages next to Malta's 'Taj Mahal'