Prime Minister Robert Abela has claimed that the right balance between the public and private operators has been reached in Comino and its Blue Lagoon.

Speaking during a press conference, Abela cited the decision to remove some sunbeds and umbrellas that were occupying every inch of the Blue Lagoon. This happened after activists descended on the bay and took matters into their own hands.

“We cannot tell commercial operators to stop,” Abela insisted.

The government has ordered operators to not place sunbeds and umbrellas before requests. However, this order has been dished out every year and is seldomly followed in the long term. 

It has recently been revealed that Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri’s canvasser Daniel Refalo is one of the operators while the family of Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo operates a ferry to Comino and watersports in the area. Refalo is a business partner of mega-developer Joseph Portelli.

“I do not believe they have a conflict of interest. The solution is one which strikes a balance,” Abela told journalists. 

The takeover of Comino’s shoreline once again piqued the national interest of late after activists from Moviment Graffitti descended on the bay and began removing sunbeds and umbrellas parked all over the bay.

The activists issued a swathe of demands, including limits on the number of people and large boats in Comino, and enforcement on the sunbeds and umbrellas in the area.

Bartolo has said that it was a coincidence that activists headed to Comino on the same day that MTA officials were set to go and deal with the persisting issue.

Do you think issues on Comimo have been resolved?