Fort Binġemma Squatters Have No Pending Applications For Alternative Housing Despite Silvio Schembri’s Assurances
The ongoing situation regarding the occupation of Fort Binġemma by squatters has taken a new turn after it was been revealed that there are no pending applications or requests from the squatters for alternative accommodation.
This contradicts claims made by Lands Minister Silvio Schembri, who stated that discussions with the Housing Authority were underway to find housing options for Steve Buttigieg and his elderly mother, who have been controversially residing in the fort.
According to a Times of Malta report, the Housing Authority, however, clarified that neither Steve Buttigieg nor his mother have submitted any applications or requests for housing assistance.
“Housing Minister Roderick Galdes said he was not informed of any developments tied to this particular case. The Housing Authority later confirmed that the authority has no pending applications or requests for the Fort Binġemma squatters.”
An internal audit conducted by the Lands Authority, which was presented to parliament in April, highlighted the lack of effort by the authority’s own enforcement division to reclaim the illegally occupied fort.
The audit revealed that Steve Buttigieg was issued an eviction order back in August 2021, and as the order was unopposed, ownership of the fort automatically reverted back to the Lands Authority. The audit recommended immediate eviction without further delay.
While Schembri previously indicated that the squatters would eventually be evicted following legal proceedings, he later used the presence of an elderly woman in the fort as a justification for delaying the eviction.
He stated that Buttigieg would only be evicted once alternative accommodation was found for his mother. However, the latest information from the Housing Authority suggests that no such application or request for alternative housing exists.
Buttigieg has caused controversy by sharing multiple photos on Facebook of his family and friends enjoying themselves around an illegally built pool in a British-era fort that they have been occupying for years.
The images, which are accessible to the public, depict Steve Buttigieg and his acquaintances swimming, partying, and barbecuing in what appears to be small gatherings held within the 19th-century protected Fort Binġemma.
These photos also reveal other areas of the fort where the squatters seem to live and work. Additionally, various pictures showcase several cars, including a modified BMW and a Mercedes, parked inside the fort.
It is believed that the squatters transformed a section of the fort, which was likely used as a machinery storage area during British rule, into an impromptu swimming pool.
Despite an eviction order issued by the Lands Authority, the Minister of Lands, Schembri, has expressed reluctance in displacing the squatters, citing concerns that they might become homeless if removed from the fort.
Schembri has previously stated that the government is engaging in discussions with the Housing Authority to secure alternative accommodation for the family.
When pressed on the progress of these talks, Schembri expressed confusion over the insistence on evicting the squatters, emphasising his opposition to leaving people without homes.
What do you make of this takeover of historical sites?
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