‘Vote Owen, get George’ – NGO questions Nigret mega development

Imagine this: you cast your vote for Owen Bonnici as MP, but end up with George Vella as Prime Minister. Sounds like a political joke, right? But for residents of Ħaż-Żebbuġ and nearby areas, this could be a reality if the Nigret mega development project goes ahead as planned.

What’s the Nigret Project?

The Nigret project is a proposed mixed-use development in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, comprising residential units, offices, retail spaces, and a hotel. The developer, Tumas Group, has the backing of the Labour Party, with Owen Bonnici, the current Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, being the MP for the area.

However, the project has faced criticism from environmental NGOs and local residents, who argue that it goes against the government’s own policies on sustainability and urban development. The project’s size and scale, they say, will have a significant impact on the environment and the local community.

NGO: ‘Vote for Owen, Get George’

Recently, the NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) launched a campaign with the tagline ‘Vote Owen, get George’. The campaign aims to highlight the potential consequences of voting for Labour in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, suggesting that a vote for Owen Bonnici could effectively mean a vote for George Vella, the Prime Minister, to push through the Nigret project.

“We’re not saying that Owen Bonnici is personally responsible for the Nigret project,” said a spokesperson for FAA. “But as the MP for the area and a member of the government, he has a responsibility to represent the interests of his constituents and protect their environment. We want to remind voters that their choice of MP could have far-reaching consequences.”

Residents’ Concerns

Residents of Ħaż-Żebbuġ and nearby areas have expressed concerns about the Nigret project’s potential impact on traffic, noise pollution, and the local environment. The project’s proximity to the protected area of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples has also raised alarm bells among environmentalists.

“We’re not against development,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous. “But this project is just too big, too close to our homes, and too close to our cultural heritage. We feel like our voices are not being heard.”

The Nigret project is just one of many large-scale developments proposed or underway in Malta. As the island’s population grows and the demand for housing increases, the question of sustainable urban development is becoming increasingly pressing.

As we approach the general election, voters in Ħaż-Żebbuġ and beyond will have to consider not just the promises made by their local MP, but also the potential impact of national policies on their communities and their environment.

For more information on the Nigret project and the ‘Vote Owen, get George’ campaign, visit the FAA website or contact them directly.