Jason Micallef Slams PN MPs’ ‘Hypocrisy’ On Manoel Island Project
Jason Micallef has accused Nationalist MPs who have urged the government to reclaim Manoel Island of hypocrisy.
Micallef pointed out that Manoel Island was leased to MIDI, along with Fort Tigne, on a 99-year concession under a PN government back in 2000.
“Hypocrisy will soon become a national holiday for some people,” he said.
“It is enough to see PN MPs or officials criticising the PL government for not scrapping the contract without uttering a single word against how, in 2000, Eddie Fenech Adami and his friends Austin Gatt and Lawrence Gonzi prostituted Fort Tigne and Manoel Island by giving MIDI a 99-year concession.”
“I have said this before and I will say it again. When you look at Tigne from Valletta you can see buildings stacked on top of each other – a modern environmental calamity.”
Micallef warned there will be several legal consequences if the government had to scrap the Manoel Island contract, and it would require several millions of euro in compensation to MIDI as well as several more million to turn it into a national park.
“It saddens me to say so but the people making such requests don’t realise the legal consequences involving MIDI’s 5,000 or so bondholders. The government can’t just wake up one fine day and say it will take Manoel Island back from the private sector.”
“That’s not how things work and that’s why I agree with Robert Abela’s prudent and mature declarations on Manoel Island.”
“This is the time for the government to bring MIDI, its bondholders, environmental NGOs and local councils around a table. I believe it is possible for the government to strike a balance between development on Manoel Island and open spaces in the public interest.”
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