Our dear Żonqor
As a Maltese citizen from Marsascala, I feel heartbroken. The idea of building a so called “University campus” on a 90,000 square meter area of pristine land is a bad idea. It is, at worst, a repeat of past mistakes; mistakes that our country can no longe
Apart from being listed as ODZ and an area of natural importance, the land earmarked for this project is a gem of natural beauty and the last of its kind. I feel it my duty to do what I can to save this public natural treasure from man-made destruction.
In my childhood, I spent days playing in the countryside. Like many of us who are now in our forties, those kind of days mark our childhood. Today, most of that countryside has been transformed into a jungle of concrete and shapeless boxes. Our children have less space to enjoy their freedom in than we did. This is not right and we must all do our best not to let it continue. We not only have no right to continue ruining such open spaces, but more than that, we have an obligation to preserve such open spaces for future generations.
The greed of the few has to be stopped by and for the goodwill of the many; and this is where one must draw the line between what is right and what is wrong. We cannot keep on justifying a bad decision with clear longterm risks, by highlighting short-term “business” and economic gains. Whilst some people in business would tend to work in this manner, one can already see a shift in the way businesses understand and value the environment and indeed make it their objective to actually champion this.
It’s usually the government and its administration that have to ensure that the right balance between business, economic growth and its environmental impact is achieved. So when the contrary happens and a government does the contrary and champions the short-term gains to justify the long-term negative environmental impact, then things are really wrong.
What message are we sending to our business community? What message are we sending to our future generations? And to add insult to injury, the total disrespect we show for the wellbeing of future generations as we ‘disguise’ this business concern calling it a ‘university’, which supposedly is itself the hub of development for our future leaders!
A message I posted on Facebook earlier this month calling for people to sound their voices against the Żonqor environment disaster was endorsed and supported by hundreds. The numerous Facebook pages and petitions that went viral in a matter of a few days together with the strong positions taken by eNGOs, the Church, various organisations, the independent media, Alternattiva Demokratika, the Nationalist Party and prominent individuals from the Labour Party are a testimony of the new, spontaneous force that has been created. A democratic force that brings together a wide coalition of people with one common purpose: that of safeguarding the land, our environment and our freedom for this generation and those yet to come.
It is for this reason that I gave my full support to the Front Ħarsien ODZ from day one and to be among those on the frontline to defend the remaining natural treasures of my country. Front Ħarsien ODZ is a positive movement representing the democratic concerns of people. It is a citizen platform for all those that have at heart the protection of the environment and the future sustainability of Malta.
I am all for initiatives that attract business to the island and expand our educational possibilities. These are the hallmarks of the vibrant economy and lifestyle we both expect and demand in this day and age. The problem here is that apart from its negative environmental impact, this whole saga is being purposefully shrouded in conspiratorial secrecy, and discards and rejects the fundamental principles of good governance. This, too, calls for our voices to demand a change of heart, a change of route.
The democratic mechanism is in place and the people’s will on this issue is strong. Our collective insistence should lead the way and open the path to safeguard our natural environment and its beauty.