Momentum demands an end to developer-driven PLPN politics following Naxxar incident

Momentum expresses deep concern following reports of structural instability at a major construction site in Naxxar, where foundations and compacted earth reportedly shifted, prompting fears among workers and residents of a possible collapse and leading to a stop-work order by the authorities.

This latest incident is yet another alarming reminder that Malta’s construction sector continues to operate within a culture where excessive development, weak enforcement, and inadequate safeguards are placing residents, workers, and entire communities at risk.

Momentum insists that public safety must always take precedence over speculative development and unchecked construction practices. No resident should have to live in fear that excavation works next door could endanger their home, their property, or their lives.

The party calls for:

• A full and transparent independent investigation into the Naxxar incident;
• Immediate publication of all relevant inspection reports, risk assessments, and enforcement actions related to the site;
• Stronger accountability mechanisms for developers, contractors, architects, and authorities responsible for oversight;
• Mandatory geological and structural assessments for large-scale excavation projects before permits are issued;
• A comprehensive reform of Malta’s planning and construction enforcement regime.

Momentum Leader and candidate on the 9th and 10th districts, stated: “Incidents of this nature are no longer isolated exceptions but part of a broader pattern linked to an overdevelopment model that has repeatedly failed residents across Malta and Gozo. The country cannot continue normalising emergency evacuations, collapsing structures, and dangerous excavation practices as the acceptable price of economic activity.

Momentum believes Malta urgently needs a new planning philosophy based on sustainability, safety, quality of life, and respect for communities rather than the relentless pursuit of overdevelopment at any cost.

The party also stresses that regulatory authorities must be empowered and willing to act decisively before accidents happen, not merely intervene after residents raise alarm.

Momentum stands in solidarity with the affected residents and calls on the government to treat this incident as a wake-up call for long-overdue reform in the construction sector”.

Momentum jitlob it-tmiem tal-politika tal-PLPN immexxija mill-iżviluppaturi wara l-inċident ta’ Naxxar

Momentum jesprimi tħassib serju wara rapporti dwar instabbiltà strutturali f’sit ta’ kostruzzjoni fin-Naxxar, fejn allegatament ċċaqalqu l-pedamenti u l-art ikkompattata, u dan wassal għal biża’ fost il- haddiema u r-residenti ta’ kollass possibbli kif ukoll għal ordni sabiex ix-xogħol jieqaf mill-awtoritajiet.

Dan l-aħħar inċident huwa tfakkira allarmanti li s-settur tal-kostruzzjoni f’Malta għadu jopera f’kultura ta’ żvilupp eċċessiv, infurzar dgħajjef u salvagwardji insuffiċjenti li qed ipoġġu f’riskju lir-residenti, lill-ħaddiema u lill-komunitajiet sħaħ.

Momentum jinsisti li s-sigurtà pubblika għandha dejjem tiġi qabel l-ispekulazzjoni u prattiċi ta’ kostruzzjoni bla kontroll. L-ebda resident ma għandu jgħix bil-biża’ li skavar biswit daru jista’ jipperikola d-dar tiegħu, il-proprjetà tiegħu jew ħajtu.

Il-partit qed jitlob:

• Investigazzjoni indipendenti sħiħa u trasparenti dwar l-inċident fin-Naxxar;
• Il-pubblikazzjoni immedjata tar-rapporti kollha relevanti dwar spezzjonijiet, assessjar tar-riskju u azzjonijiet ta’ infurzar relatati mas-sit;
• Mekkaniżmi aktar b’saħħithom ta’ accountability għall-iżviluppaturi, kuntratturi, periti u awtoritajiet responsabbli mis-sorveljanza;
• Assessjar obbligatorju ġeoloġiku u strutturali għal proġetti kbar ta’ skavar qabel jinħarġu l-permessi;
• Riforma komprensiva tas-sistema ta’ ppjanar u infurzar fil-qasam tal-kostruzzjoni.

Il-leader ta’ Momentum u kandidat fuq id-9 u l-10 distrett, Arnold Cassola, jinnota li inċidenti ta’ din in-natura m’għadhomx eċċezzjonijiet iżolati iżda saru parti minn mudell usa’ marbut ma’ politika ta’ żvilupp żejjed li repetutament falliet lir-residenti f’Malta u Għawdex. Il-pajjiż ma jistax jibqa’ jinnormalizza evakwazzjonijiet ta’ emerġenza, strutturi li jiġġarrfu u prattiċi perikolużi ta’ skavar bħala l-prezz aċċettabbli tal-attività ekonomika.

Momentum jemmen li Malta għandha bżonn b’urġenza filosofija ġdida ta’ ppjanar ibbażata fuq is-sostenibbiltà, is-sigurtà, il-kwalità tal-ħajja u r-rispett lejn il-komunitajiet aktar milli l-ġiri bla waqfien wara żvilupp eċċessiv akkost ta’ kollox.

Il-partit jisħaq ukoll li l-awtoritajiet regolatorji għandhom jingħataw is-setgħa u jkunu lesti jaġixxu b’mod deċiżiv qabel iseħħu l-inċidenti, mhux biss jintervjenu wara li r-residenti jqajmu l-allarm.

Momentum jesprimi solidarjetà mar-residenti affettwati u jappella lill-Gvern biex jittratta dan l-inċident bħala wake-up call għal riforma tant meħtieġa fis-settur tal-kostruzzjoni.

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