RAM is alarmed at the claim that the Superintendence of Fortifications and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage “are up in arms” against the destruction of historical relics at the Smart City site, asserting “a complete disregard for the country’s cultural heritage” even in the face of warnings in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

RAM believes that such strong statements from bodies which are doing sterling work call for an immediate reaction from the very Government which set them up. Unless these Superintendents are just puppets whose strings are meant to be pulled only when convenient?

The alarm is compounded by the other claim of serious underestimation of Energy cost. The demand of the City when fully operational is forecast to be more than double that previously calculated. This huge leap in energy needs entails not only the construction of more substations but also a tremendous increase in emissions and in the national carbon footprint. With no Smart City, Malta is far from reaching set targets. With Smart City Malta will almost inevitably be liable to legal procedures and fines of unprecedented and frightening consequence. The Government cannot remain silent on this probability while mockingly it offers free energy-saving lamps!

We are informed that Article 5 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive demands that the developer carries out an economic, environmental and technical study on the use of Combined Heat & Power (CHP), renewable energy, central heating and cooling etc. for such developments as Smart City. But Article 5 has not been transposed into Maltese legislation, with the result that Malta is facing serious infringement procedures. Again RAM asks: Why is this so?

All of this goes against common sense. Also it directly breaches EU Directives, EIA regulations and Climate Change policies. National Interest is seriously at stake here. One would have expected Smart City to be smarter, not only in its respect for national heritage but especially in its calculations and its construction practices.

RAM wants assurances from the Government about such issues of serious national importance.

Ramblers Association of Malta

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