Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) – The Green Party has said that it welcomes the fact that EU funding is being used for the drawing up of a Master Plan for Cittadella, Gozo. However, AD said it has serious doubts about the process that was used during the selection process for the adjudication of the tender when groups with much more experience were discarded in favour of a University department that has no experience in the drawing up of master plans.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson and Candidate for European elections, said, “AD is informed that among the groups that had shown interest one found the top international and local experts in the various fields. The ‘company’ chosen, or rather the University group, is in fact -as the Ministry statement itself states, engaging a number of foreign and local experts to draw up its reports as it itself has no experience in this field. Furthermore, master plans are drawn up over twelve months so that a full weather cycle is taken into consideration.”

Victor Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika Secretary General and Gozo Spokesperson, added, “AD hopes that there will be a genuine consultation with all stakeholders and all those that have a particular interest in the site. AD cannot understand why the Rabat Local Council was not involved at all up to now and hopes that it will be seriously involved at this stage. No serious plan for Cittadella can be done without a proper study of the problems relating to the historic core of Victoria.”

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, AD candidate for European elections, said, “AD insists that the Church and Heritage Malta, the two prime stake holders, will be involved in a serious manner at all stages and not excluded, as has happened up to now. Furthermore it is hoped that the Master Plan also includes a Management Plan for the Cittadella.”.

Prof. Arnold Cassola concluded, “The Green Party hopes that the Government will go ahead with nominating the Cittadella and the historic core of Victoria for listing under the UNESCO World Heritage List.”

More photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/alternattiva and video clips at http://www.youtube.com/user/adgozo.

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