The green whistleblower: More on Hondoq
Published on The Sunday Times on 22nd October, 2006 by Alan Deidun.
George Attard's letter (The Times, October 7) goes against the grain by supporting the proposed Hondoq project. Mr Attard justified his position by stating that youth employment is so high in Gozo and the tourist sector is on its knees.
Hence, the implication is that the project fillip for both sectors - maybe in the same way that L-Imgarr Hotel, Andar Hotel (both being demolished or refurbished) and San Lawrenz Hotel extension (sold off as apartments) did? Regarding employment, does Mr Attard condone the taking up of one of the last unimpeded beaches in Gozo so that jobs, such as room or yacht attendants can be offered to Gozitans? Is there a guarantee as to how many of such jobs will be offered to Gozitans?
The Labour Party has made its position on Hondoq public, by denouncing the real estate parts of the project (including the hotel extension) but committing itself in favour of the yacht marina on site. Our country's main chimera remains the politicisation of the environment, with both parties supporting or opposing projects in view of the other side's viewpoint.
Labour has taken a position of strength, in its opinion, on Hondoq - opposing Government's plans but at the same appeasing both environmentalists and the business community in what essentially is a half-baked position.
The whole project should be endorsed or rejected, especially since the yacht marina is the aspect which is of greatest concern to locals and environmentalists - hence, the dangling carrot presented to environmentalists has failed. Such vote-catching antics by both parties should cease. Government should also take note of the torrent of letters of protest against the project.
George Attard's letter (The Times, October 7) goes against the grain by supporting the proposed Hondoq project. Mr Attard justified his position by stating that youth employment is so high in Gozo and the tourist sector is on its knees.
Hence, the implication is that the project fillip for both sectors - maybe in the same way that L-Imgarr Hotel, Andar Hotel (both being demolished or refurbished) and San Lawrenz Hotel extension (sold off as apartments) did? Regarding employment, does Mr Attard condone the taking up of one of the last unimpeded beaches in Gozo so that jobs, such as room or yacht attendants can be offered to Gozitans? Is there a guarantee as to how many of such jobs will be offered to Gozitans?
The Labour Party has made its position on Hondoq public, by denouncing the real estate parts of the project (including the hotel extension) but committing itself in favour of the yacht marina on site. Our country's main chimera remains the politicisation of the environment, with both parties supporting or opposing projects in view of the other side's viewpoint.
Labour has taken a position of strength, in its opinion, on Hondoq - opposing Government's plans but at the same appeasing both environmentalists and the business community in what essentially is a half-baked position.
The whole project should be endorsed or rejected, especially since the yacht marina is the aspect which is of greatest concern to locals and environmentalists - hence, the dangling carrot presented to environmentalists has failed. Such vote-catching antics by both parties should cease. Government should also take note of the torrent of letters of protest against the project.
posted by Hondoq at
1:35 PM
