Government bulldozing ahead on Zonqor university – Front

Front Harsien ODZ has hit out at “manoeuvres” for the sale of public land to Jordanian construction firm Sadeen Group, which will construct a private university at Zonqor and Dock No. 1 in Bormla.

“The Labour government is selling Malta’s public domain through a very rushed process with no transparency. Government has failed to publish its heads of agreement with Sadeen group, has bypassed the parliamentary environment committee and is ignoring advice from MEPA on sustainable alternatives to Zonqor,” FHODZ said.

“Government is ignoring Front Harsien ODZ, all opposition parties, internal opposition within Labour, all environmental NGOs, civil society and Malta’s biggest ever environmental protest. The only concession given by government, to reduce the footprint of ODZ development, is not enough, as a huge area of ODZ public land will still be given to the Jordanian big business group. Government also violated its own SPED policy as it did not consider all alternatives before deciding to sell Zonqor,” the Front said.

“The Zonqor issue is a clear example of bad governance. Front Harsien ODZ will remain vigilant and active in opposing the proposed development, which still has to pass through planning process. MPs who vote in favour of the sale of Zonqor will not be considered as credible when, before the next elections, they will attempt to show their environmental credentials.”