Nigret Mega Development: ‘Vote Owen, Get George’ – NGO Raises Concerns

Imagine this: You cast your vote for Owen Bonnici in the 2022 local council elections, expecting him to represent you as the Labour Party’s candidate in Nigret, Rabat. But fast forward to 2023, and you find out that your vote has indirectly led to George Vella, the Prime Minister, having a say in a massive development project right in your backyard. Sounds like a plot twist straight out of a political drama, doesn’t it?

This is the scenario that an NGO, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), is warning Nigret residents about. The NGO has raised concerns over a proposed mega development project in Nigret, which they argue could have significant environmental and social impacts, and might just be the unintended consequence of voting for Owen Bonnici.

Nigret, a small village in Rabat, Malta, is no stranger to development. But the proposed project, a mix of residential, commercial, and retail spaces spread over 15,000 square meters, is on a scale that has raised eyebrows and hackles. The project, if approved, would see the construction of two 12-story towers, a 7-story building, and a 5-story building, all within close proximity to each other.

The developer, Tumas Group, has argued that the project will bring much-needed investment and jobs to the area. But FAA and other local residents have expressed fears about increased traffic congestion, loss of green spaces, and the potential strain on local infrastructure.

Here’s where the political connection comes in. Owen Bonnici, the Labour Party candidate who won the Nigret seat in the 2022 local council elections, is also the Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government. This ministry is the one that would ultimately give the green light to the Nigret development project.

FAA argues that this creates a conflict of interest. “If Bonnici approves the project, it’s like voting for him got you George Vella’s say in your backyard,” says Alexia Pace, a spokesperson for FAA. “We’re not saying Bonnici will definitely approve it, but the potential is there, and that’s what we’re concerned about.”

Bonnici, however, has maintained that he will remain impartial. “I will evaluate the project based on its merits and demerits, as I would any other project,” he told Hot Malta. “My duty is to the people of Nigret, not to any particular developer.”

But FAA’s concerns run deeper than just one project or one politician. They argue that the current planning laws in Malta favor developers over the environment and the public. “We need planning laws that prioritize sustainability and public interest, not just profit,” says Pace.

Public consultation, or the lack thereof, is another bone of contention. While the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is open for public consultation, FAA argues that this is not enough. “People should have a say before a project even gets to the EIA stage,” says Pace. “But our planning laws don’t provide for that.”

The ball is now in the court of the Planning Authority, which will decide whether to approve the project. FAA and other concerned residents are calling on the public to voice their opinions during the EIA consultation period. “This is our chance to have our say,” says Pace. “Let’s use it.”

Meanwhile, the Nigret development project continues to spark debate, not just in Nigret, but across Malta. It’s a debate that touches on planning laws, political impartiality, and the future of our islands. And it’s a debate that’s far from over.