Hondoq ir-Rummien should be a National Park

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 4th July, 2010 by Francesca Mejlaq.

The Prime Minister said in Parliament on Monday 7th June, that he would not get involved in the Hondoq Project controversy, leaving Mepa to follow its own laws. The problem is of course, that Mepa often doesn’t follow its own laws, as was the case with the Seabank expansion. That is why the Prime Minister had taken it over ─ to impose consistency and transparency (both of which are still missing) and not to sit back and wash his hands of it.

As confirmed in a recent survey, the public is convinced there are two sets of laws: a rigid one for the common citizen, and a flexible one for the well connected. How else can one explain that some buildings without permits were knocked down, while others are being considered for permits for extension? Why was the Ramla project refused for years to one owner and granted immediately to the next one? Why was Hondoq an ODZ when it belonged to the Church and taken off the ODZ list in 2006 after it was sold? Why did Mepa think Hondoq wasn’t a fitting place for a yacht marina in one survey (Deloitte and Touche report), and now it’s considering having one there. So it should be obvious that one cannot talk of a law when it comes to Mepa, and that is why the Prime Minister has to get involved!

Besides, the Prime Minister together with Giovanna Debono had promised to set up eco-Gozo. The Hondoq Creek project goes against that very concept, and experts and NGOs have confirmed this. Can the Prime Minister not get involved when his own department is going against his plans? And let’s not bring up the issue of investment, which has already been dealt with in abundance in the media.

The Maltese and tourists will visit Hondoq because of the project ─ it would be easier and cheaper for them to go to elsewhere. They come to Hondoq because it’s different ─ so keep it that way with the improvements of a natural park.

Also, society is suffering from increasing stress. Workers have lost their holidays that fall on a weekend, workplaces are becoming increasingly stringent in the name of efficiency, there’s talk of stopping summer half-days, retirement age has been increased and will probably be increased again, many cannot afford to relax by going abroad or to even eat out ─ but the beach is the ultimate place for free relaxation, and Hondoq is a Mecca for many of these. One look at Hondoq in summer confirms what I say.

What the developers are offering will be beyond the means and scope of all Gozitans ─ as if we need the casino they propose! And while the developers are counting their profits and deciding how much money to put with their thank you cards, I will be sitting with my children and grandchildren telling them a fairy tale: Once upon a time there was a bay called Hondoq...

So, I hope, with all due respect, that the Prime Minister realises that he cannot allow Mepa a laissez-faire policy with Hondoq. There must be no washing of hands.