President Myriam Spiteri Debono, recently visited the employees of the Lands Authority at Auberge de Baviere in Valletta, where she expressed her gratitude to the Authority’s staff for their dedication and commitment to their daily work.

The President emphasised the point that public land and property entrusted to the Authority must be used for the benefit of the people, ensuring that their value is enjoyed by all.

She emphasised that “this means that the purpose of every concession should be to increase the common good in such a way that the actions of the Authority are always guided by a social mission, with the public interest placed at the forefront.”

As an example, the President referred to Government initiatives giving families the opportunity to redeem ground rent on properties, thereby becoming freehold owners, under favourable conditions particularly in cases concerning a family’s primary residence.

She noted that similar opportunities exist for secondary or holiday residences, but under different conditions, since priority is always given to the family home.

The President further underlined that “State-owned land – indeed, land belonging to the people – should also be a means of supporting cultural and sports organisations, enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to community life.”

She also highlighted the potential of public property to support the growth of industries that are fundamental to Malta’s economy.

At the same time, the President cautioned that certain cases which arise can undermine public trust in the management of Malta’s immovable heritage. She therefore appealed for full transparency in evaluation procedures, ensuring that the public can clearly see that decisions are being taken in the best interests of the people.

“It is of utmost importance that evaluation processes are transparent, and that it is evident that weight is given to conditions which lead to decisions taken in the public’s best interest,” said the President.

Concluding her message, the President directly addressed the Authority’s employees, urging them to take pride in their work and to continue carrying out their responsibilities with commitment, loyalty, and dedication.

Photo: DOI

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