Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/806571
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 APRIL 2017 2 News Activists demand scrutiny of Manoel Island contract over alleged breaches MATTHEW AGIUS ACTIVISTS from Kamp Emergen- za Ambjent (KEA) together with Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manché have urged the government to scru- tinise the conditions of the contract that was signed with the consor- tium developing Manoel Island, to confirm whether MIDI plc is com- plying with the conditions of the contract. NGOs, environmental activists and concerned citizens converged on Manoel Island yesterday morn- ing, calling for increased scrutiny on MIDI's adherence to the terms of its concession to develop the historical promontory. MIDI plc, who were granted a 99-year concession on the large part of Manoel Island in 2000, recently presented its masterplan which includes a hotel at Fort Manoel, a shopping complex and a casino- hotel at the historic 18th century Lazaretto, retail outlets and luxury low-rise apartments, a helipad and superyacht marina, while taking over also the foreshore including the current swimming spot beneath the fort to build a water taxi pon- toon. Gzira residents and activists have opposed any development, arguing that Manoel Island should be re- turned to the public and developed into a national park. One resident present for the press conference could be heard shouting that any development would take place "over my dead body." "After 16 years, people are finally appreciating the beauty of this place. Manoel Island is under threat and the fort is going to be changed into a hotel simply to satisfy a cer- tain class of people," said activist and Kamp Emergenza Ambjent spokesman Andre Callus. Callus told concerned residents that activists were alarmed at the plans that the consortium had pre- sented, saying that Fort Manoel was to be developed into a hotel, as would Lazzaretto creek with the waterfront being taken up by water taxis. The consortium's behaviour ever since it signed the contract cannot be ignored, KEA said, questioning whether any restoration works have even commenced on Fort Manoel. "All this must be taken in the context of their behaviour since the 2002 contract with the govern- ment," Callus said, pointing out that the corporation had missed time- frames for specific development milestones. Under the contract, MIDI was supposed to have applied for development permits within 12 months of its signing, but MEPA had told them that they hadn't been applied for in that timeframe. "Look at Lazzaretto and see for yourself if any works have been done. Who is ensuring that dead- lines are being kept?" Callus asked. He said the NGOs believed that it was now time for the govern- ment to intervene. "It appears there is a chance that MIDI has failed to honour its contractual obligations," which would mean it incurs fines of Lm500 (€1,1,50) daily. This sentiment was echoed by environmental activist and lawyer Claire Bonello from the newly- created NGO 'Friends of Manoel Island', which has already written to the Prime Minister, calling on him to ensure that this scrutiny actually happens. She told the crowd that the origi- nal plans – which included a cin- ema, museum and cultural centre – had never mentioned hotels and casino, saying that the new plans had "effectively privatised" the area. "What sort of access will be grant- ed to the public if it's privatised? It won't be open to the public for free and swimmers won't have safe ac- cess if a water taxi pontoon is set up. "We believe that the government is powerful enough to stop this de- velopment, especially if there's a suspected breach of contract." Borg Manché went on to add that the fortress, currently listed to be- come a world heritage site by UNE- SCO, will never maintain this status if it's developed into a luxury hotel. "It is important to avoid the area's disfigurement, as happened just across the water," he said, pointing to Tigné point, which was contro- versially transformed into a luxury shopping and residential complex. "They [MIDI] are used to steam- rolling over everyone, but they have found a more substantial challenge with us," Borg Manché said defi- antly, to shouts of support from the crowd. "We are not going to give in to threats." KEA said that the plans must be radically changed, especially if MI- DI is breaching their contract, and reiterated its call for Manoel Island to be transformed into a national park. "We will continue to insist that Manoel Island does not be- come a place for the few but a place to be enjoyed by all." MIDI committed to brief Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has already sounded a word of warning to the MIDI Consortium over its plans to construct a shop- ping complex, casino-hotel, and luxury apartments on Manoel Is- land, warning that the Gzira com- munity is angry at the plans. But the developers behind Tigné Point and Manoel Island have sent out a public declaration insisting that they will complete obligations arising from its 2000 deed to de- velop the island, as protest mounts against the as yet unfinished project. "MIDI remains fully committed to fulfilling the obligations arising from the deed. We are committed to maintaining a constructive dia- logue with the various stakeholders of the project and refine its current proposals in line with these discus- sions." The company next week will organise an open day at Fort Ma- noel, as NGOs renew their protest against the take-up of the land. The restoration of heritage sites at both Tigné Point and Manoel Is- land is an ongoing process, with the company saying that it has spent €20 million in the restoration of St George's Chapel and Fort Manoel. The Manoel island deed was even- tually signed in 2000, with the con- cession split between €60 million in premia payable to the govern- ment, €33 million in infrastructural and restoration obligations and a ground rent of €181 million payable over the 99- year term of the lease. magius@mediatoday.com.mt Lawyer Claire Bonello (right) holds up details of the Tigné and Manoel Island development brief and deed. Activists from Kamp Emergenza Ambjent and Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manché (second left), want the contract scrutinised "Government is powerful enough to stop this development, especially if there's a suspected breach of contract"