Manoel Island concession step closer to being terminated

Manoel Island is a step closer to becoming public land again after parliament approved a resolution to partially terminate its concession to MIDI.

During a plenary session on Tuesday, parliament unanimously voted in favour of the motion that will place Manoel Island and part of Fort Tigne back into public hands.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici presented the resolution to parliament.

Earlier in the day, the national audit committee also voted in favour of the motion. During that meeting, Bonnici explained that the government will be reimbursing expenses carried out for restoration but will not pay for the value of the land.

Lands Authority CEO Robert Vella explained how the entity he heads arrived at the pricetag for the concession.

He said the procedure is different to a valuation, where the value of a land is estimated by the authority.

Since the concession was being partially terminated, MIDI presented a list of expenses incurred while the concession was in force to be imbursed by the government.

The Lands Authority was in charge of verifying the expenses presented against invoices and proof of payment.

Nationalist MP Darren Carabott asked for clarifications on possible structural deficiencies and personal rights.

Vella said that if there were any latent defects at the time of sale in 2005, and they were never resolved, those defects will be there today and be the government’s responsibility.

He said that there had been an agreement between MIDI and Enemalta for an electricity distribution centre to be set up on the island. That agreement will remain in place but will be the government’s responsibilities.

There had also been discussions to replace a zone on the island with a football ground. He said the government will continue discussions with the football association on this matter.

Nationalist MP Stanley Zammit asked about pending payment obligations and servitude.

Vella said anything that has not been paid for at the time of the contract is not being taken into account in the agreement.

He also said there are parts of the agreement concerning servitude at Fort Tigne. There is a temporary agreement in place making sure that views from apartments in the Tigne area are not obstructed.

“Technically, until the emphyteusis expires, we can’t build, say, an apartment block at Fort Tigne,” he said.