AD challenges Busuttil to revoke agreement with Armier squatters

Alternattiva Demokratika have challenged PN leader Simon Busuttil to revoke an agreement reached with Armier Developments Ltd prior to the 2013 general elections.

Deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo welcomed Busuttil’s declaration that he would support any government action against the illegal Armier boathouses. However, Cacopardo said, the PN must also revoke its pre-electoral agreement.

“AD is delighted that after years of campaigning against the illegal development of boathouses at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha (Armier, Little Armier and the White Tower Area), even the Nationalist Party is now convinced that it cannot support these illegalities anymore,” Cacopardo said.

He said, that it would be “much better” if Busuttil were to disassociate himself from the agreement signed by the Nationalist Party prior to the 2003 general elections.

“We must remember that it was this agreement that led to the arrangements to hand over 26 hectares of public land at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha to the company Armier Developments Limited for a period of 65 years (against an annual payment of €366,000) in order that new boathouses are developed,” he said.

"It is indeed a pity that it took the Nationalist Party 25 years to convince itself."

Both the Nationalist and Labour administrations have forged pre-electoral agreements with Armier Developments Ltd, guaranteeing some form of permanence for the illegal developments.