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

Imagine this: you cast your vote for Owen Bonnici, Labour’s candidate in the upcoming local council elections in Ħamrun, and suddenly, you find yourself with a new neighbour – George Vella, the President of Malta. Well, not quite the man himself, but a towering 30-storey residential block named after him. Sounds like a plot twist, doesn’t it? But this isn’t a movie script; it’s the reality that an NGO is warning Ħamrun residents about.

Nigret Project: A Giant in the Making

The Nigret Project, a colossal development by Tumas Group, promises to transform Ħamrun’s skyline. With plans for three towers – the tallest being 30 storeys – it’s set to become one of Malta’s most significant residential projects. But not everyone is thrilled about this giant in the making.

Ħamrun Local Council, led by Labour’s Owen Bonnici, has given the project the green light. However, an NGO, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), is raising concerns about the project’s impact on Ħamrun’s character and its residents’ quality of life.

‘Vote Owen, Get George’: The NGO’s Warning

FAA’s latest campaign, ‘Vote Owen, Get George’, is a stark warning to Ħamrun residents. It’s a play on words, suggesting that voting for Owen Bonnici could lead to the ‘George Vella’ tower looming over their homes. The campaign aims to highlight the potential impact of the Nigret Project on Ħamrun’s urban scene and its community.

“We’re not against development, but we’re against this kind of development,” says Mark Mallia, a spokesperson for FAA. “We want to preserve Ħamrun’s character, not turn it into a concrete jungle.”

Concerns and Controversies

The Nigret Project has sparked several concerns among Ħamrun residents and environmentalists. Here are a few key issues:

• Height and Scale: The 30-storey tower will dwarf Ħamrun’s current buildings, significantly altering the town’s skyline.
• Shadow and Wind Tunnel Effect: The tall buildings could cast long shadows over nearby homes and streets, and create wind tunnel effects, making certain areas feel colder and more uncomfortable.
• Traffic Congestion: With around 600 new apartments, the project could exacerbate Ħamrun’s traffic congestion problems.
• Affordability: While the project promises affordable housing, critics argue that the apartments will mainly cater to middle and high-income earners, doing little to address the island’s affordable housing crisis.

The project’s naming has also sparked controversy. Tumas Group has named the towers after prominent Maltese figures, including George Vella, the current President of Malta. Critics argue that this is a cynical attempt to gain political support and legitimacy for the project.

When asked about the naming controversy, a spokesperson for Tumas Group said, “The naming of the towers is a tribute to Malta’s cultural heritage and historical figures. We believe it adds a unique touch to the project.”

What’s Next?

The Nigret Project is currently in its planning phase, and construction is expected to start later this year. But FAA and other critics aren’t backing down. They plan to continue raising awareness about the project’s potential impacts and pushing for a more balanced approach to development in Ħamrun.

Mark Mallia concludes, “We’re not against progress, but we want progress that respects Ħamrun’s character and its people. We want our voice to be heard, and we want Ħamrun to remain a town, not a concrete jungle.”

As Ħamrun residents prepare to cast their votes in the upcoming local council elections, they’ll have to decide whether they’re ready to welcome ‘George’ into their neighborhood. The future of Ħamrun, it seems, is in their hands.