Updated | Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent keep up pressure by reopening access to Manoel Island

Environmental activists woke up early this morning to re-open access to Manoel Island, urging fellow Maltese to join in a protest calling for access to be granted.

KEA said that despite its efforts, MIDI was still adamant in denying the public access to the foreshore and in fact yesterday stated that it will increase fencing around the island.
“The actions undertaken by the Government and the Planning Authority are positive, but alone they will not guarantee access to Manoel Island,” the activists said.

Yesterday the government filed a judicial protest calling on developers MIDI plc, to open access to parts of the island.
MIDI have a 99-year concession to develop the island, but the Tigné Point developers have already indicated they are looking for buyers to take over the concession.

The activists say they are simply taking that which is rightfully of the public

The activists this morning were joined by Gzira locals demanding that the people be granted access to Manoel Island.

KEA said now, more than ever, it was important for people to put pressure on MIDI to stop its “illegal behaviour”.

KEA spokesperson Andre Callus said the group was taking “full responsibility”

Andre Callus from Kamp Emergenza Ambjent said that the group takes full for cutting through fences blocking access to Manoel Island. 

Welcoming the government’s response, Callus insisted that

it was essential for activists and locals to keep up pressure: “Court cases can take long and the public cannot risk forgetting about the issue as has often happened in Malta.”

Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manché said that he was grateful for the support he has received from all local council members as well as from KEA. 

"I remember spending many hours here as a child, roaming around and playing and it's about time Gzira locals are given the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful space again," Borg Manché said. 

This sentiment was expressed by a number of people attending the protest, many of whom were Gzira locals who spoke very fondly of the island and the memories they have of it.

The Nationalist Party has said that the issue regarding access to the Manoel Island foreshore can only be resolved if the Prim Minister were to discuss the matter with the MIDI consortium in order to ensure that the Maltese population’s interests are safeguarded.

The PN said that it agreed with Gzira residents who are insisting on being allowed to access foreshore, adding that just last year the PN put forward in parliament a draft law intended to safeguard citizens’ access to the foreshore and other areas that fall within the public domain.

While insisting that Joseph Muscat does not have any environmental credentials – as evidenced by his decisions on Zonqor and the fact that he issued five permits for skyscrapers in one day – the country is right to expect him to do something about the current situation.

The PN has called on the Prim Minister to stop using the Gzira mayor in actions that will not ultimately lead to anything and to do what needs to be done without wasting any more time.

Alternattiva Demokratika, have on their part, reiterated that Manoel Island should be reclaimed by the government and maintained as an Eco Island Natural Park, with only pedestrians and bicycles allowed inside. AD welcomed the steps taken by the government against MIDI adding that there should now be “rapid enforcement” against the blantant infringements by MIDI.

AD added that after the legal action taken against MIDI and fish farm owners, it is now imperative that these measures are enforced and then extended to other areas such as MonteKristo Estates and Armier which have also been illegally taken over.