Gzira gardens berth holders to launch bid for ‘imminent’ marina privatisation

Over 50 yacht owners who berth in the marina near the Gzira garden have formed an association, called the Berth Holders Association, to tender for what could be an ‘imminent’ request for proposals for a new, privatised marina.

The transport authority had previously refrained from privatising this marina, pending the completion – so far unfinished – of the breakwater at Manoel Island by Midi plc, the consortium that won a concession for the development of the island.

Midi will also be running the marina at Manoel Island.

The new berth holders association said they were aware that Midi plc was interesting in tendering for the privatisation of the marina, and declared that they wanted to run their own marina.

“The marina near the Gzira Garden was one of the first to be developed in Malta and has been there since the 1960s. Some Berth Holders Association members have been berthing their yachts at this marina for the past 35 to 40 years. Others have had the same berth for many, many years,” BHA chairman Rino Muscat Scerri said.

Apart from the Gzira garden marina, an adjacent temporary marina is currently leased out for a period of five years. Both marinas would face the Manoel Island marina.

Muscat Scerri said the association wants to tender for the privatisation of the marina, as well for the development and maintenance of the garden.

The BHA would be following the example of the Msida Creek owners who took over the Ta’ Xbiex marina.

“The Association is prepared to form a company in future to safeguard the interests not only of the berth holders, but of whoever makes use of the Garden and the surrounding area, which stretches from near the petrol station beside Manoel Island bridge to Ta’ Xbiex waterpolo club,” Muscat Scerri said.

The BHA’s vision is to develop and embellish the surrounding area, including the garden, to see that there is adquate space for parking for everyone, and to install the most modern amenities that yacht owners need in today’s world.

“There is a lot that can be done to embellish the environment of the yacht marinanext to the Gzira Garden, not just in terms of cleanliness, with the amount of rubbish of all types that is thrown there, but also in terms of the types of people who visit the area, especially at certain times,” Muscat Scerri said.

“Our intention is for the area to be placed under 24-hour surveillance seven days a week and in this way the large amount of thefts that occur in this yacht marinawill be brought to a halt once and for all. In this way we will also be creating new jobs.”

The Association’s other officials are: Silvio Farrugia, Vice-Chairman; Charles Zerafa, Secretary and Teasurer; and the Members, Trevor Sullivan and Roland Darmanin Kissaun.