Nigret Project: Vote Owen, Get George – NGO Questions Mega Development

Imagine this: You cast your vote for Owen Bonnici in the 2017 local council elections, expecting him to represent you as the mayor of Rabat. But fast forward to 2021, and you find out that your vote might have indirectly paved the way for his brother, George, to become one of the island’s most powerful developers. Welcome to the tangled web of politics and property development in Malta, where a vote for one Bonnici brother could mean a boom for the other.

The Nigret Project: A Giant Leap or a Step Too Far?

The Nigret project, a 30-story tower proposed by Tumas Group, is set to transform the skyline of Msida, just a stone’s throw away from the historic city of Mdina. With 250 apartments, a hotel, and retail spaces, it’s a giant leap in Malta’s property development scene. But not everyone is cheering. Environmentalists and heritage advocates are up in arms, arguing that the project is too big, too tall, and too close to Mdina’s UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enter the NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, or Together for a Better Environment. They’re questioning the project’s approval process, alleging that political connections might have greased the wheels. Their main bone of contention? The role of George Bonnici, Owen’s brother and Tumas Group’s CEO.

Politics, Property, and the Bonnici Brothers

George Bonnici’s rise in the property development scene has been meteoric. From a relative unknown in 2017, he’s now at the helm of one of Malta’s most influential development companies. His brother Owen, meanwhile, has been making waves as Rabat’s mayor, pushing for urban regeneration and attracting investment.

NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar argues that the Nigret project is a textbook case of conflict of interest. They point to Owen’s role in facilitating Tumas Group’s projects in Rabat, including the controversial Portomaso extension. “It’s like voting for Owen and getting George,” says the NGO’s spokesperson, Dr. Marthese Portelli. “The public didn’t vote for a Bonnici development agenda, but that’s what they’re getting.”

Owen Bonnici, for his part, denies any wrongdoing. “I’m doing my job as mayor,” he says. “I’m not involved in my brother’s business decisions. The planning process is independent, and I respect that.” George Bonnici, meanwhile, declines to comment, citing the ongoing legal process.

The Fight for Mdina’s Skyline

The Nigret project isn’t just about politics and property. It’s about Mdina’s skyline and Malta’s heritage. The ancient city, with its medieval walls and narrow streets, is a jewel in Malta’s crown. But with the Nigret tower looming large, some fear it could become a sore thumb.

Dr. Anthony Azzopardi, a historian and Mdina resident, worries about the project’s impact. “Mdina’s skyline is part of its charm,” he says. “A 30-story tower will dominate it, casting a long shadow over our history.”

The fight over Nigret is far from over. The project faces legal challenges, and the public consultation process is ongoing. But one thing’s clear: Malta’s property development scene is changing, and with it, the political scene. Whether you voted for Owen Bonnici or not, his brother’s towering ambition is a reality you might soon be looking up to.