PD urges government to buy back Manoel Island and turn it into a national park

Democratic Party says if government makes sure to collect the real value from other projects, it could use the money to buy Manoel Island back

 A rendition of the Manoel Island project by architects Dowling Jones Stone
A rendition of the Manoel Island project by architects Dowling Jones Stone

The government should act in the best interest of the general public and buy back Manoel Island from the MIDI Consortium and develop the area into a national park, the Democratic Party said on Saturday. 

At a press conference in front of the fort's main entrance, the party's deputy leader Anthony Buttigieg said that a large number of foreigners relocating to Malta were choosing the area around Manoel Island to live in, and yet they had no park or open space to enjoy in the vicinity. 

He noted that MIDI this week published its plan for Manoel Island, but he said that it is now time to reconsider if Manoel Island really needs to be developed or if it would be more beneficial to develop the area into a national park. 

Buttigieg said that they were not contesting the contract MIDI signed with the government 19 years ago, but he called on the government to buy back the area on behalf of the citizens. 

People in the area have no open space to visit within walking distance, and Manoel Island was the only option, the PD argued.

"The area could provide space for concerts, and Lazareto could be developed into an exhibition space," he said. 

PD leader Marlene Farrugia said that many land sites, given in concession for hotels, had been developed for living accommodation. 

If the government were to develop Manoel Island into a national park, it would be providing a breath of a fresh air in the ‘Dubai-ification of Malta’, she said.

"We are prepared to involve all interested parties on this project," Farrugia said. "We have long been calling for a national plan and we believe this would be the right project to set that in motion."