Momentum welcomes opposition by Sliema and Gżira mayors to coastline reclamation project

Momentum welcomes the strong stand taken by Sliema Mayor John Pillow and Gżira Mayor Neville Chetcuti against the proposed land reclamation and lido project along the Sliema and Gżira seafront.

Their position confirms the serious concerns first raised publicly by Momentum regarding this scandalous proposal. As revealed by Momentum, the proposed development application includes the reclamation of public sea space to construct a commercial lido complete with swimming pool, sun deck, restaurants and ancillary buildings facing Manoel Island. The project would further privatise and obstruct one of Malta’s most heavily used and iconic promenades.

Momentum candidate on the 7th and 10th district, Prof. Pierre Schembri Wismayer, stated: “Momentum had warned that residents of Sliema and Gżira are continuously being forced to sacrifice public space, open sea views and quality of life to satisfy the greed of speculative development interests. Today, the mayors of both localities have rightly echoed these same concerns, stressing that the coastline belongs to the public and not to private commercial interests.

The statement by Sliema Mayor John Pillow that “Sliema’s coastline is not there to be continuously consumed by overdevelopment and commercial expansion” reflects exactly what residents have been saying for years. Likewise, Gżira Mayor Neville Chetcuti’s warning that too much coastline has already been taken over underlines the urgent need to protect what little remains accessible to the public”.

Momentum leader and candidate on the 9th and 10th district, added: “Momentum believes this growing opposition clearly shows that residents are tired of seeing every remaining open space and stretch of coastline sacrificed for private commercial gain at the expense of communities and the environment.

Momentum reiterates its firm position that no public land or sea should ever be surrendered for private commercial profit. Our coastline is part of our national heritage and must remain accessible, open and protected for everyone”.

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Stqarrija għall-Istampa – Momentum tilqa’ l-oppożizzjoni mis-Sindki ta’ Tas-Sliema u l-Gżira kontra l-proġett ta’ reklamazzjoni tal-baħar

Momentum jilqa’ l-pożizzjoni soda meħuda mis-Sindku ta’ Tas-Sliema John Pillow u s-Sindku tal-Gżira Neville Chetcuti kontra l-proġett propost ta’ reklamazzjoni tal-baħar u lido bejn Tas-Sliema u l-Gżira.

Il-pożizzjoni tagħhom tikkonferma t-tħassib serju li Momentum qajjem pubblikament dwar dan il-proġett skandaluż. Kif żvelat minn Momentum, l-applikazzjoni proposta tinkludi reklamazzjoni ta’ spazju pubbliku fil-baħar biex jinbena lido kummerċjali b’pixxina, sun deck, ristoranti u binjiet oħra quddiem Manoel Island. Il-proġett ser ikompli jipprivatizza u jostakola waħda mill-aktar promenades popolari u użati fil-pajjiż.

Il- Prof. Pierre Schembri Wismayer, kandidat fuq is-7 u l-10 distrett, stqarr: “Momentum kien wissa li r-residenti ta’ Tas-Sliema u l-Gżira qed jiġu mġiegħla jkomplu jitilfu spazji pubbliċi, veduti miftuħa tal-baħar u l- kwalità ta’ ħajja biex jiġu sodisfatti l-interessi ta’ xi żviluppatur. Illum, is-sindki taż-żewġ lokalitajiet ġustament tennew dan l-istess tħassib u sostnew li l-kosta tappartjeni lill-pubbliku u mhux lil interessi kummerċjali privati.

Id-dikjarazzjoni tas-Sindku ta’ Tas-Sliema John Pillow li “il-kosta ta’ Tas-Sliema mhijiex hemm biex tibqa’ tiġi meqruda minn żvilupp eċċessiv u espansjoni kummerċjali” tirrifletti eżattament dak li r-residenti ilhom jgħidu snin twal. Bl-istess mod, it-twissija tas-Sindku tal-Gżira Neville Chetcuti li diġà ntilfet wisq kosta turi kemm hemm bżonn urġenti li jiġi protett dak li fadal mill-kosta aċċessibbli għall-pubbliku”.

Il-Prof. Arnold Cassola, Leader ta’ Momentum u kandidat fuq id-9 u l-10 distrett, żied: “Momentum jemmen li din l-oppożizzjoni dejjem tikber turi biċ-ċar li r-residenti għajjew jaraw kull spazju miftuħ u kull biċċa ta’ kosta tiġi sagrifikata għal qligħ kummerċjali privat għad-detriment tal-komunitajiet u tal-ambjent.

Momentum terġa’ ttenni l-pożizzjoni ċara tagħha li ebda art jew baħar pubbliku m’għandhom jingħataw għal profitt kummerċjali privat. Il-kosta tagħna hija parti mill-wirt nazzjonali tagħna u għandha tibqa’ miftuħa, aċċessibbli u protetta għal kulħadd”.

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