Busuttil ‘discredited’ over Zonqor alternatives, says government
Opposition says Nationalist investment in sewage treatment plant at Ta’ Barkat guaranteed Malta’s quality bathing water
20 May 2015, 4:46pm
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
2 min read
PN leader Simon Busuttil at Zonqor point Marsascala. Photo: Ray Attard
The Labour Party has poured cold water over sites proposed by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil as an alternative to the controversial private university earmarked for Zonqor Point, in Marsaskala.
The Office of the Prime Minister is currently calling for online submissions from the public to share alternative sites for the university project, in the face of growing opposition against the Zonqor site.
In a statement, the PL said Busuttil’s proposal to site Sadeen Group’s ‘American’ university in the former Dowty factory, had brought a negative reaction from the Chamber of Commerce which is against the further removal of industrial space.
It also added that Busuttil’s proposal to site the university at the former St Luke’s had been superseded by the interest of three companies seeking to enter private-public partnerships in the former hospitals. “Busuttil wanted to stop a project that is such an important part of the government’s plan to mend the disastrous situation of healthcare as left behind by the former adminsitration.”
The PL also said that a proposal to site the university at the former oil tanks in Birzebbugia, would demand a meticulous clean-up according to former Enemalta chairman Robert Ghirlando. “Busuttil has no credibility and he is trying to ride a bandwagon for his political gain.”
In another statement from the PN, shadow ministers for the environment and energy Marthese Portelli and spokesperson for planning Ryan Callus said that Muscat was ill-advisedly equating the proposed university constructed on virgin land, to the Barkat sewage treatment plant.
“This public investment was made possible through EU funds. It is a pity that Muscat is so negative in the face of this EU-funded investment, which has enabled us to have the best water quality in Europe.”
The PN was commenting on results today confirming Malta’s sea water quality was among the best in Europe. “This is the result of Nationalist governments’ investments in the past,” the two MPs said.
