Hondoq – the last straw

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 6th June, 2010 by Joe Falzon, Qala.

On Thursday, 27 May, a meeting was held at Qala Primary School to discuss Hondoq’s fate. From the start, the pro-project people tried to hoodwink the public, as they did not want to remove the partitions in the hall, which would have kept a large number of ‘Save Hondoq’ supporters who overflowed into the corridors out of sight. Keeping the partitions in place would have created the illusion that a large percentage of those present were in favour of the project. In fact, they formed a small group up in front, which included construction workers, some of whom had done work for Victor Bajada, the owner of the area in question. I am sure their presence was not motivated by a general interest in Gozitans as much as by the desire to line their own pockets. And there was also Qala’s vice-mayor, who originally supported the Save Hondoq movement but recently turned coat and is now in favour of the project, and we all know why, since he has his own controversial building project on Qala’s Belvedere that is under appeal with Mepa – he wouldn’t dare bite the hand that he expects to feed him.

There was also the argument about holding the meeting in English, which Mepa wouldn’t allow. All I can say here is that maybe Mepa wanted to avoid the fact being known that a large number of those against the project are the ‘foreigners’ who have made Malta their home! And as EU citizens I apologise for the use of the word “foreign”. I would like Mepa – and that Vince Farrugia, whose poor prophetic skills were sorely tried when he predicted five PN members at the last EU election – to get it into their heads that these ‘foreigners’ ARE one of Gozo’s biggest investments as they prefer the natural tranquillity and relative quiet of Gozo to our sister island (no dis-respect intended). Destroy Hondoq with the poor excuse of investment, and you’ll jeopardise our ‘human investment’ by ruining the ecological purity of Gozo. Mr Farrugia owes the people of Gozo an apology for his hysterical outburst; what caused the closing down of the factory complex at Xewkija, Mr Farrugia? Mgarr hotel? Gozitans?

Then there was this Professor Vassallo, who claimed that his survey showed that the majority of Gozitans were in favour of the project. He claimed that Hondoq belonged to all Maltese and Gozitans – so why was the survey limited to a few villages? Ask the people of Nadur if they would like a yacht marina at Dahlet Qorrot, or Ramla? And can Mepa explain why Hondoq, which was not mentioned as a possible yacht marina site in its survey, has now been chosen? What powerful puppeteer is pulling their strings? Mr Vassallo’s survey is invalid and contradicts the referendum results that were 85 per cent against the project.

They talk about the need for investment and jobs. Mepa, Mr Farrugia and all you project supporters are insulting our intelligence. You give the impression that building houses that will mostly remain empty is our only option. Jobs and opportunities can and will be created by turning Hondoq into an ecological park. You will need trucks, bulldozers, construction; kiosks could be set up that are compatible with the environment; stalls renting deck-chairs, snorkelling equipment, paddle-boats; a diving school can have its own unit that could take clients on impromptu dives and/or give lessons on the spot, others can give lessons in wind-surfing, water-skiing and many other possibilities. This would be a life-long investment and not a project that would provide jobs for a few years – probably ending up being given to a lot of refugees (I hear that’s the situation at Kempinski, isn’t it?)

The average Joe cannot afford to spend a lot of money on relaxation. It is well-nigh impossible for many to go abroad for a holiday, often even to eat out. Going to the beach in summer is probably the cheapest and most enjoyable way to relax for the low-income earner. Destroy Hondoq and you will be robbing them of even that form of relaxation and it will only breed bitterness. One look at Hondoq in summer is proof enough of what I say – the camping, the barbecues, the laughter of children – by Maltese, Gozitans and foreigners alike! Only a callus Scrooge will destroy the happiness of many for the pockets of a few! The Gozitans are crying out, and they are angry!