Front Harsien ODZ calls for Parliamentary Committee meeting

‘Why is government ignoring Parliamentary Committee?’ Front Harsien ODZ asks

Front Harsien ODZ deplored government’s lack of consultation and reiterated its call for the Parliamentary environment committee to reconvene and discuss alternative sites for the construction of a private university.

Reacting to government’s announcement in last Monday’s Budget speech that it intends to go ahead with the development of the university in ODZ land in Zonqor, Marsaskala, the front said the Parliamentary Environment committee “was supposed to discuss the possible alternative sites for development of the 'American' University project, which had to be presented by the MEPA CEO to Members of Parliament and civil society representatives.”

Insisting that this had to be a proper process of evaluation, dialogue and scrutiny, the front said “ODZ sites were not to be considered if there were alternatives.”

“Instead, Government detailed the whole process through a press conference in Summer, effectively rendering the parliamentary committee into an insignificant entity," Front Harsien ODZ added.

The front also renewed its call to have the agreement with the University developers Sadeen published, insisting that government’s reluctance to publish it “only raises suspicion on the insistence to develop at Zonqor."