Hondoq ir-Rummien: Food for the Dragon

Published on the Malta Independent on Tuesday 14th June, 2010 by Agnes Debono.

At first glance, Gozo has nothing to do with Lydda, the city haunted by the blood-thirsty dragon which threatened its lifeline by occupying the territory around the only water source outside the city walls.

In our times dragons are relegated to the realms of legends. But in the days of St George and in the early times of the Church everybody knew that ‘dragons’ were hidden references to oppressive, life-suffocating regimes. The water source and the maidens offered to the dragon in Lydda symbolise life and the sustainable future of the community.

Today, bigger parts of the Gozitan countryside are offered to an insatiable dragon appearing in the greed of economic and construction lobbies behind so many projects that are presented as if they were to introduce a bonanza for Gozo.

As such, one may think that Hondoq is another development like many others we have had in the last 50 years. But in many ways it stands for so many ill-conceived new developments that are threatening our future and is undoubtedly a clear signal that the dragon will want more and forever more.

Analysing this project one cannot overlook the fact that the plans were designed at a time when there was still a high artificial demand for the jet set. Portomaso was in some ways innovative for Malta and was perhaps the right project at the right time. Hondoq is not. It is repeating a concept that is doomed to fail because it is a repetition of the unsuccessful Chambray that is less than two kilometres away.

MEPA is giving more than ever before the impression of a rubber-stamping machinery for further developments, even though empty unsold property is abundant in Gozo. Given the size of Gozo, developments could easily overshadow or even eliminate each other. For instance, a runway between Ghajnsielem and Xewkija could seal the fate of Chambray because this happens to be in the flight path of the possible runway. The proposed Hondoq development rules out the possible, though remote, causeway between Malta and Gozo. No one from the privileged Hondoq residents would like a highway to end or start at his doorstep.

Once the Hondoq project is over, the obvious solution for the dragon would be to create another project, to have another bite at another part of the Gozitan countryside. Our politicians will not stop the onslaught. At best they are only keen on appeasing the dragon and in return hoping that it continues to fill their respective party coffers.

I am afraid this time that I cannot pin my hopes upon St George’s second coming.