“After yesterday’s rowdy consultation meeting on the EIA, it is clear that the Hondoq ir-Rummien proposed development is still based on the taking over by speculators of land currently used for leisure activities by common folk, and as a result restricting the public right of access to the beach for both local and foreign tourists,” said Carmel Cacopardo AD’s Spokesperson for sustainable development.

Alternattiva Demokratika Regional Committee for Gozo asks whether this is yet again part of the current elected politicians’ ‘Vision’ for Ec(H)o-Gozo to further destroy the natural assets of the island through such building projects.

AD’s Chairperson Michael Briguglio said, “The current administration was very well able to copy the Green Party’s manifesto for Gozo with regards to turning Gozo into an Ecological Island but there is a big difference between copying something and actually acting upon it in a sustainable and sensible way in order to create new and modern jobs for the islanders.”

AD’s spokesperson for Gozo, Victor Galea concluded that, “We would humbly like to remind one and all that during the last general election Alternattiva Demokratika was putting forward concrete proposals for the generation of employment to the locals unlike what is happening at the moment in the hospitality industry in Gozo where an increasing number of foreigners are being employed at low wages as a result squeezing out Gozitan workers. A vote for the Greens would have meant that the derelict quarry of Hondoq ir-Rummien be transformed into a park complemented with an afforestation project, guaranteeing free public access to Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay, frequently monitoring of the bathing areas including sampling of sea water, provision of adequate beach facilities in order that Hondoq ir-Rummien attains blue-flag status as well as the rehabilitation of the derelict distillation plant into a marine sports centre (to include a national indoor swimming pool heated by solar energy) for use by all Gozitans as an added amenity to this proposed ecological park. The parliamentary opposition’s silence (PL) is another huge disppointment – their environmental credentials are nil.”

Permalink: Hondoq ir-Rummien more land grabbing by speculators – AD