Hondoq a ‘fait accompli’

Published on the Malta Independent by Leo Attard. Much has been said about the Hondoq Project and I have come to the conclusion that it is a fait accompli. However, I believe one should not lay out the red carpet for the burglar, but fight back. What makes me and many others believe it’s in the bag for the developers are the following: 1) Neither Mr Bencini, the architect, nor anyone else has ever answered the questions put to them in the media. To conclude, therefore, as rumour has it, big politicians are involved (the son of some ex-president who likes to dabble in Gozo property?) How can Mepa say ‘no’ to such prominence? 2) Number 1 could explain why neither the Prime Minister nor Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono have made any statements, especially by not replying to a letter published in this newspaper on 4 July in which sound arguments were made that such a project would be in open defiance of the government’s own project for an Eco-Gozo. So, it is absurd that they should say nothing, unless, of course, they have given it their blessing. Silence equals complicity. And how can Mepa say ‘no’ to them? Has Austin Walker ever answered the questions put to him? Has the vice-mayor of Qala done so? 3) The vice-mayor’s relationship with Mepa is a good example of an ‘I-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine’ policy. The controversial project regarding the Belvedere of Qala has also been a topic in the media – several times denied permission to build / extend the existing structure as it is partly built in ODZ. Then, when the Hondoq monster reared its head again, the Belvedere project was given the go-ahead, though now under appeal. But, a quiet stroll on the Belvedere will show construction has already gone up. Is this in defiance of Mepa, or confidence that it’s a sure thing, all guaranteed by Mepa behind closed doors! Is this the same situation with Hondoq? While all is supposedly under discussion the developers have already laid out who does what and who gets what. 4) Then, there was the Qala mayor’s statement in the Independent of 11 July in which he seems to be doing a little tap-dancing of his own! He categorically denies any change of opinion in the project, but then says if the project is revised (dropping the marina, perhaps?) he might change his opinion! Well, that’s confirming the rumours! The Qala referendum said ‘Absolutely NO!’ to the project in any shape or form! Nothing less than a nature park! Isn’t that what Qala had agreed on, Mr Buttigieg? 5) Hondoq was probably already doomed once it was bought by Victor Bajada! The Augustinians were the previous owners of the ODZ land (donated to them by those who thought they would buy their way into heaven, no doubt!). Mepa did not delist the area from ODZ for them, and had it done so they would have sold it for a good price! But no, Mepa waited for Mr Bajada to buy it, then had it delisted! And, knowing Mr Bajada’s reputation, Mepa must have known that he didn’t buy the land to go caper gathering! An attack plan long in the making! 6) Looking at number 2 above, if a small-time vice- mayor can get his way with Mepa, then imagine how much more the ‘big guns’ of the Hondoq Project can get, especially since they seemingly have the backing of the OPM and Ministry for Gozo? So why don’t they go ahead and start? Well, because there are so many against the project, it will be such a travesty of justice, it will negatively affect so many, that they are waiting for the swimming the season to be over, waiting for children to be fed up with beach and back at school, waiting for the tourists to have left and then they’ll come like thieves in the night! The project is a fait accompli, but it’s still not too late for those who were elected to protect us to do their job, to create the Eco-Gozo that has been promised.