[WATCH] Simon Busuttil dubs Zonqor development 'environmental rape'

Simon Busuttil calls Zonqor Point development 'environmental rape' • Video by Ray Attard

PN leader Simon Busuttil has expressed his party's opposition to the university proposed for Zonqor Point in Marsakala, saying that it amounted to "environmental rape" and would endanger other ODZ areas.

Speaking after a walking tour of the area, which members of the press attended, he said that the land in question - some of which is privately owned - would not only 'steal' a substantial piece of land from the public but would also open up other ODZ areas to the threat of development.

"If this land is developed, other ODZ areas will never be safe," Busuttil said adding that as seen through Google Maps, the stretch of land was 1.5 times greater than the total built up area of Zonqor.

Busuttil explained that the project would not just ruin the ecologically and scientifically significant area, but it would also effect the livelihood of farmers operating in the area.

Shadow minister for the environment Marthese Portelli and shadow minister for education Therese Comodini Cachia also expressed their concerns about the project and said that they had contacted some of the farmers and that they had expressed their disgust and disappointment at the proposed project.

"The government wants to develop a so-called American university, which is neither American nor a proper university," Busuttil added.

Busuttil also called into question the integrity of MEPA, which was involved in the identification and selection of the site. "This is a classic example of the government's modus operandi. How can MEPA, the entity meant to protect land, be impartial to the project when it is already involved?" he said adding that it was just working as a ‘rubber stamp’ for the ‘violations’ of the environment being committed by the government.

“The Nationalist party also believes there are many viable alternatives for an educational project including the area formerly used by Enemalta as a Petroleum Division in Has- Saptan and St. Luke’s Hospital among others,” Busuttil said.

Busuttil stressed that the best alternative would be to keep the area as a natural park and in so doing preserve the agricultural, scientific and ecological significance of the land.

“We will not allow Joseph Muscat to bulldoze our environment,” Busuttil said urging all those who cared for the country be they environmental organisations or not, to fight against this mistreatment of the natural environment.

Thanking the independent media for their coverage of the proposed project, Busuttil expressed his belief and hope that the collaboration of so many people against this project would lead to the government rethinking the location.

Busuttil added that he would be meeting with various environmental groups to discuss the issue during the week.