TOP NEWS | Sunday, 15 July 2007

Ghadira concession dates back to when the GWU had a cabinet post

The Mellieha Holiday Complex was given a beach concession on a part of Ghadira Beach in 1986 at a time when the GWU had a cabinet post in the Maltese Labour government.
This emerges from a letter sent by Flemming Jensen-the managing director of the Mellieha Holiday Complex.
Contacted by MaltaToday on Friday Flemming, who was not on this island in 1986, explained the GWU’s involvement in the company has remained in line with its policy to seek partners within the local community.
“Their role is that of a small minimal partner, because as Danes we like to have a connection to the Maltese.”
Last week MaltaToday revealed that the GWU President Salvu Sammut had actively lobbied the office of the Prime Minister to get an approval for 40 new bungalows on a nature conservation area close by the Bird Reserve.
Flemming also contradicted statements in the case officer reports drawn up by MEPA experts, which clearly state that the development of the beach concession on Ghadira hinders public access to the beach.
“I give a 150% guarantee that any Maltese who wants to lie on the beach on his own towel will be able to do so if the project is approved, more so now that Ghadira is set to become a Blue Flag beach.”
He went on to described the rocky part of the beach, where the company wants to develop as a “scar between two beautiful beaches used mainly used by people to make BBQs.”
Mellieha Holiday Complex is presently appealing against a MEPA decision to deny a permit for the development of a kiosk, sunbathing decks, showers and a jetty, occupying a stretch of 3,000 square meters of coastland.
The development, twice refused by MEPA because it would hinder public access to the coastline, reiterates a principle enshrined in Malta’s Structure Plan. The reports also refer to the presence of ancient cart ruts.
Last year the company presented another application for a beach concession in the same area.
However the managing director of the company insists that the Danish Villages’ policy is to “invite all of Malta to the facilities of the complex.”
But the managing director of the company insists that the GWU receives absolutely no financial remuneration from the project.
He also confirmed that they are invited to participate in the company’s general meetings in Copenhagen but made it clear that GWU secretary general Tony Zarb and President Saviour Sammut do not receive payment for their posts as directors in the company and that the union does not receive dividends of its 0.7% shareholding.