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WATCH: How The Central Link Project Is Robbing Maltese Farmers Of Their Livelihood

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While the serious environmental concerns surrounding the recently approved Central Link Project take centre stage, little notice is given to how the massive infrastructural development will affect the everyday lives of the Maltese farmers.

Moviment Graffitti has uploaded a video showing farmers from the area sharing their plight with the Planning Authority Board, who would ultimately approve the project with 7 votes to 3.

“We have no idea where we stand and what is going to happen to us?” the woman asks explaining that the agricultural land due to be ripped up is crucial for her family’s livelihood.

“Everyone is pushing us down whenever they have the opportunity.”

The roads project, which will restructure junctions and lanes between Mrieħel, Rabat, Attard and Ħaż-Żebbuġ, is set to permanently destroy some 48,466 square metres of agricultural land in the area. 

The lost land includes 549 trees that are currently found alongside the roads being widened, 272 of which are protected.

“When I complained about the caves and boreholes on my land being moved, all they told me was ‘don’t worry we’ll move them’, are we going to perform magic and they’ll just move?”

“What are we going to our children? We are hurt by this, we want to know today what exactly is going to happen to us,” she said.

The project has received widespread condemnation from the general public, after the Environment Resources Authority Chairman Victor Axiak voted in favour project despite the environmental issues, while Environment Minister has told the public to beware false nostalgia and focus on progress.

In an accompanying comment to the video, Graffitti called on the people to step away from keyboard criticism and turn their anger into concrete action.

“ We need your voices, your energy, and yes, your anger too. Silence and fear are no longer an option if you want this mass rape to stop,” the activist group said.

READ NEXT: PA Green Lights Controversial Central Link Project With Malta’s Environment Authority Head Voting In Favour

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.

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