Momentum’s Reply to Valletta FC: Fairness Must Include the Families of Pembroke

Momentum believes every football club deserves a proper home, and Valletta FC is no exception. What is in dispute is whether Pembroke is the right place for it, and whether residents there have been given any meaningful say in that decision.

The families of Pembroke are also a community. Their children also play in those streets, grow up in those homes, and deserve to be heard. Raising their concerns is neither prejudice nor ‘partisan’.

Momentum’s position has never been against Valletta FC. It has been against the practice of allocating public land for large-scale development without full transparency, proper environmental assessment, and consultation with the residents directly affected. That principle applies regardless of who the beneficiary is. It applied to Manoel Island, it applies to Comino, it applies to Marsaskala.. And it applies here.

The site in question sits next to a Natura 2000 protected area, in a locality that has already absorbed other major developments. Pembroke residents are not asking for special treatment but for the same basic rights any community deserves before a project of this scale is approved on their doorstep: honest information, a proper process, and a real say.

Dr Matthew Agius, election candidate for Momentum said, “Pembroke residents have watched development after development land on their doorstep. Each time, they were told to accept it. Each time, their quality of life paid the price”.

Momentum has put forward an alternative plan: a sports complex to replace the now dismantled Marsa Power Station that could genuinely serve Valletta FC’s needs without placing the burden on an already pressured residential community in Pembroke. The Marsa Power Station is part of the Valletta harbour regeneration project, and according to the project it will be completely developed. Thus a sports complex fits well within this scope. The site is also very close to Valletta unlike the one in Pembroke. The proposal deserves a serious consideration by Valletta FC, PL, and PN.

Agius added “We stand with the children of Valletta FC, just like we stand with the children of Pembroke, and that is the reason why we always seek a sustainable approach.”

• Video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ECkcf5nWG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Re: Valletta FC Club Statement: https://www.facebook.com/100063667868549/posts/1587862350012679/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=zyhhL3HJUsN3Ubsc#

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