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The rationalisation of the irrational is a recurring attribute of PN administrations. The recent decision by the Cabinet, following the advice of the Minister for the Environment, to initiate a rationalisation exercise that will extend new areas for development goes against the economic, social and environmental realities of this country. The opposition is informed that proposed extensions, if eventually built, will cover an area the size of Siggiewi.
The real reason behind this ‘rationality exercise’ is a strategic one; an attempt to bring to a halt the vastly dwindling popularity of the Gonzi administration, and an electoral bargaining chip to gain a few more votes next election and rescue his party. All this portrays a desperate administration sinking into the abyss, and a government that ruled all these years by imposition rather than consent, that unavoidably lost the support and consent of the people.
Minister George Pullicino erroneously compares this rationalisation move with that of the Labour administrations in 1970s who similarly extended the development boundaries. While this is true, Minister Pullicino failed to note however, that this was vitally important to support and make way for the unprecedented increase in economic growth, a historic fact which surely is not being experienced today. The rapid industrialisation of the 70s and subsequent growth of capital investment along with the increase in the productive workforce could not have materialised without extending on to new land. On the contrary the present economic situation today is characterised by deep stagnation from a lack of foreign and local investment particularly due to the past miserable performance and a doubtful economic forecast, notwithstanding comments by Austin Gatt publicly announcing the closure of the manufacturing industry within a decade.
Even from a social point of view this rationalisation exercise is flawed since it will not benefit first-time home buyers as claimed. The Cabinet decision to extend the development boundaries came concurrently with the recent increase in bank interest rates, making it harder if not impossible for first-time buyers to purchase their home through a bank loan, so that any positive impact that may have provided the needed land for development has been neutralised by the increase in interest rates. With the exception of few genuine cases, current proposed expansion of urban land use in outside development zones cannot be socially or economically beneficial, and the sole motive behind all this is just land speculation… is government considering land speculation as a method of economic growth?
From the environmental viewpoint, the whole process makes a parody of the concept of sustainable development and EU directives as well. Many environmental NGOs have expressed their dismay and disapproval to the extension of urban areas and have organised protest demonstrations. Minister George Pullicino prefers “more concrete things to do rather than to attend protests”. Indeed, we will be seeing more of that (concrete) in our countryside, more building, more waste and dust.
A future Labour government will, through MEPA proceed with a strategic policy approach that safeguards the environment and abides with the relative EU requirements of the SEA Directive. The opposition shall remain supportive with those who are against this unjust rationalisation exercise. I am convinced that the general public in Malta will, as always, make the right moral choice when called to do so.
Roderick Galdes
Labour MP, spokesman for the Environment and National Heritage
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