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MFTC members get their consultation, the people want theirs – David Agius
Matthew Vella
Malta Trade Fair Corporation President Ian Mizzi is unimpressed by a recent spurt of ‘opposition’ to the proposed relocation of the Trade Fair Grounds from Naxxar to the outskirts of Attard and Mosta.
Nationalist MP David Agius, a former journalist with NET TV, has expressed concern at the proposed site for the Trade Fair, for years having been located at the Naxxar grounds owned by Scicluna’s Estates. With the lease of the property soon to expire in 2007, Scicluna’s Estates have decided not to renew the lease, pending development plans of their own.
The MTFC, composed of organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Industry, and the GRTU, identified a vast plot of land in Ta’ Qali reported to have cost Lm5 million. An agreement has been signed with Flower Power, the flower merchants located in the area.
David Agius has complained that the corporation had not consulted local representatives on the planned move, writing a letter of objection to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and will be informing the surrounding localities’ councils – Attard, Mosta, Rabat and Zebbug – of his concerns. Agius has cited parking problems, traffic, noise pollution, and a fall in the value of the land, as part of his objections, and wants to see other options considered on the proposed relocation of the trade fair.
Ian Mizzi, speaking to this newspaper, was not impressed by the objections: “David Agius may say that we didn’t make any consultations, but in my MTFC inauguration speech I stated that we would consult with any stakeholder who will have anything to do with this project, including the local councils. Our aim is to integrate as acceptably as possible with the people of the surrounding localities.
“I think David Agius is trying to score some brownie points with his constituents, and to appear as some sort of hero. It is still too early in the process. We only signed a convenium, and there is no guarantee we will sign the contract. We have started consultations with MEPA and we have to ascertain that this project will be allowed to be carried out.”
Reacting to these comments, David Agius said that as a representative of the people, he was asking for consultation prior to a decision being taken, underlining his opposition to the proposed location of the site: “I have yet to be convinced that a better place cannot be found for the trade fair. There is ample space to be found in the Ta’ Qali area and the crafts village.”
David Agius said the members of the MTFC demanded the right to consultation when the controversial eco-tax bill was published. “My argument is that where the MTFC gets its own consultation, there is no consultation with the people when it comes to developing a vast tract of land located outside the development zone. I have received numerous protests on this issue, and I will press for consultation on this issue. Is this the way things have to continue happening in this country?
“I am a representative of the people. I don’t think I am doing this to win votes. I am doing this because I think there has to be consultation on this issue.”
Agius said he would be waiting for the reactions from other MPs and the Church on the matter, and said he wanted to see consultation before the MEPA process gets underway.
Mizzi said that if David Agius believed in consultation, he was welcome to contact the MTFC, instead of “taking advantage to score points”.
“The project is still embryonic. There is a whole process which has to be seen through with MEPA before anything is finalised. We have even called in a traffic consultant on the matter. Once we know what kind of project we can have we shall initiated consultation. I think Agius is jumping the gun.”
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