‘University unprecedented investment in south’ – Justice Minister

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici praised the announcement that the American University, a private university, will open its doors in the south of Malta, describing it as an “unprecedented” investment in the south.

“The south shouldn’t be Malta’s dumping ground, simply for power stations and the Freeport,” Bonnici said in his parliamentary adjournment. “Whenever I cross the Marsa bridge, I always feel as though I’m entering the second division, and other people there share my sentiment.”

The €115 million Jordanian investment was originally proposed outside development zones in the vicinity of Zonqor Point in Marsaskala and is scheduled to cover 90,000 square metres of agricultural land, 90% of which is government-owned.

Environmental NGOs contacted to MaltaToday have expressed their outrage that the university could be constructed on ODZ, and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has scheduled a meeting with them.

Muscat has said that the planning authority will consider alternative sites in the south of Malta, while Environment Minister Leo Brincat said that “ideally” the project should not be built in an ODZ area.

However, Bonnici said that the university itself will be designed in a way that will treat the environment as an “absolute priority” and that the Natural National Park, announced by the government in tandem with the university, will “add a new lung” to the south.

The university is expected to attract some 4,000 students and Bonnici predicted that they will have a huge economic impact on businesses in the south.

“When Jerma Palace closed, shops started closing down, others had to adapt, while others’ performances started fluctuating,” Busuttil said. “Can you imagine the enormous economic impact that 4,000 students will have on the economy? One thing brings about something else, and this university will help towards further economic development in the south.”

Bonnici said that Malta has become relevant internationally, both for its recent economic successes and its recent social advancements, such as in civil unions.

“When I attend international conferences, foreigners cross the room to speak to me about Malta’s recent achievements, as soon as they find out that I am Maltese,” Bonnici said, while praising Prime Minister Joseph Muscat as “the right man at the right time to change the country for the better.”  

“When a party ends up in government after several years in Opposition, its first few years are typically good ones,” Bonnici said.