Lands Minister Silvio Schembri has said that with regards to the Qbajjar Battery on the outskirts of Marsalforn, “the Lands Authority is considering which is the best method in order to dispose of this property in favour of its protection and rehabilitation.”

He added that this would happen “once the legal issues are definitively ascertained and closed.”

The Minister was replying to a Parliamentary Question by Opposition MP Chris Said, who had asked what the Lands Authority had done in the last year regarding the 18th century Qbajjar Battery, which he said, is in a very bad state of repair and in imminent danger of collapsing.

Said also asked what the Authority intended to do to ensure that the building does not collapse.

He also questioned why the Authority is “dragging its feet” on this historic site and not handing it over to Din l-Art Helwa as had been intended.

On Monday, Din l-Art Helwa – Ghawdex released a statement regarding the Qbajjar Battery following a joint clean-up initiative that took place there on Sunday.

The NGO stressed that the battery is in “dire need of intervention, with the rate of damage speeding up as more of it becomes exposed to the elements.”

The Grade 1 scheduled building, was supposed to be handed over by the Government to its parent – Din l-Art Helwa some 15 years ago.

Din l-Art Helwa – Ghawdex explained that this however had never happened “and the hand-over has been held up at the Lands Department ever since, while the battery has been falling ever further into disrepair, with structural damage now very evident.”

The NGO said that it has already carried out the required studies, acquired the necessary permits and found funds for restoration. “All that is needed is action from the Government to protect the Qbajjar Battery and many other of Malta’s beautiful and historic sites for this and future generations.”

Photo: Daniel Cilia

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