AD urges electorate to reject system ‘awarding strong lobbies’

Alternattiva Demokratika has urged the electorate to keep in mind the protection of public land when voting in next Saturday’s general elections.

Addressing a press conference in Sliema, AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said that public land belongs to the country’s children and future generations.

“We have no right to sell it off,” Cassola said.

He argued that the MIDI project in Tigne' was “a perfect example” of how things should not be done.

“There were supposed to be four squares in the original project.  We have been left with only one and an immense concrete slum, that is aesthetically nauseating, whilst also ruining the World Heritage Valletta skyline.  

“We must ensure that these ghastly mistakes are not repeated with the proposed high rises in Town Square and Fort Cambridge. The residents in Sliema, Qui Si Sana and Tigne' deserve to breathe clean air, enjoy open spaces and traffic free zones,” Cassola said.

AD candidate Danika Formosa said that residents in Gzira were being buried under a number of projects, which include unsustainable high-rises.

“They have been deprived of a part of the Gzira coast which is going to be privatised for the benefit of four hotels in the area. This is not on. The people of Sliema and Gzira deserve to have a green lung where they can enjoy some open spaces and fresh air free from the building frenzy and congestion that is always on the increase,” Formosa, a candidate on districts 9 and 10, said.

“Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing that since the MIDI developers failed to honour the terms of their contract, Manoel Island should be returned to the state, who should then declare it as a car-free national park for one and all to enjoy.”

Marc' Andrea Cassar, AD candidate on the 1st district, further stated: "Both the PN and the PL were in favour of giving Manoel Island to MIDI. Today, everyone understands the impact of such a short-sighted decision. Likewise, the development in Tigné should have included a number of public squares. Instead, there is now only one public square, and many flats!"

Unfortunately, things have not changed.

“The PN and PL's electoral generosity has now even led certain land owners in Bahrija to request their land to be listed as a development zone."

Cassar said that the system which awards strong lobbies must be resisted and rejected: “The strongest message you can give is through voting for consistency and credibility – Vote Green, Vote Clean.”