Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar expressed amazement at the government’s pre-electoral commitment not to remove illegal boathouses that were built on the Armier coastline prior to 1992.
“We cannot understand the basis for this commitment. The laws of the land are there to be enforced,” FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella told MaltaToday.
The government is justifying its commitment to regularise the Armier boathouses citing another mysterious pre-electoral agreement signed eight days before the 2003 elections in which it had promised to transfer 230 tumuli of public land in Armier to a company owned by the Armier squatters.
“We disagree completely with this agreement as we believe that the government should not give in and legitimise such developments,” Astrid Vella said.
According to FAA the Armier planning quandary was brought about “by a group of people who flouted the law who are now seemingly being rewarded at the expense of law abiding citizens who cannot enjoy similar privileges.”
FAA made it clear that it cannot in any way endorse development carried out illegally on public land in Armier.
Back in 2004, Armier Developments Ltd had applied to develop 1,600 two-storey boathouses as well as other ancillary developments like community centres, restaurants and playing fields in Torri l-Abjad, Little Armier, Ramlet il-Qortin and Ta’Macca.
Before the election the Prime Minister had committed himself to “consult” MEPA six months after the election on this pending application. Gonzi also committed himself to transfer public land to the squatter’s company as soon as the permits are issued.
“We are against any development in Armier. It is now MEPA’s duty to process the permits according to law.”

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt