Front Harsien ODZ calls for scrutiny of rejected sites for ‘American University’

Front Harsien ODZ has called on Parliament’s environment and planning committee to scrutinise the proposals that were rejected in the site-selection process for the ‘American University of Malta’ project.

“During a committee meeting in June, MEPA’s chief executive Johann Buttigieg had promised to present the 100 or so proposed sites for discussion in an upcoming parliamentary environment committee meeting,” FHO spokesperson Michael Briguglio told a press conference outside the Parliament building. “However, in the summer, the Prime Minister just up and announced the government’s final plans for the university.

 “Without getting into the merits of the government’s decision, we feel as though Muscat’s announcement sabotaged the environment committee, and we urge it to call a coherent discussion to study the proposed sites.”

The Front presented their request for a committee meeting to Labour MP Marlene Farrugia, as chair of the environment committee. Farrugia was a vocal critic of the government’s original plans for the AUM and had attended a 3,000 strong protest against the development of Zonqor, as well as a PN protest gathering at Zonqor Point.

Originally set to take up 90,000 square metres of land outside development zones at Zonqor, the final plans announced by Joseph Muscat in August will see the campus split into two – Zonqor and Dock 1 in Cospicua. The campus in Zonqor will be spread over 31,000 square metres, 18,000 of which will be on ODZ land.

During the announcement, Muscat also published a list of alternative sites, proposed by the Government Property Division and the public through an online consultation process.

“While we welcome the report, it was written by Johann Buttigieg’s office and doesn’t include the names of the experts consulted,” FHO spokesperson and MaltaToday journalist James Debono said. “Although the report provided reasons as to why the proposed sites were rejected, it didn’t explain why ODZ land at Zonqor was preferable.”

When asked about the use of discussion when a final decision has already been taken, Briguglio said that a government that believes in transparency would allow the discussion to proceed regardless.

“The government can roll over civil society if it wishes, but that is not morally legitimate,” he said. “Evaluating the options would allow civil society to be rendered better aware of the government’s plans.”

Meanwhile, FHO spokesperson Monqiue Agius reiterated the Front’s long-standing appeal on the government to publish the Heads of Agreement it had signed with Sadeen, the Jordanian construction firm entrusted to build and run the AUM.