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

Imagine this: You vote for one candidate, but another moves into the seat. This isn’t a plot twist from a political drama, but a reality check for residents of Msida and Gżira. The Nigret mega development, a brainchild of new Planning Authority Chairman, George Vella, is raising eyebrows and hackles among local NGOs and residents. They’re questioning the project’s scale, its impact on the environment, and the democratic process that led to its approval.

From Nigret to Nigret Towers: A Tale of Two Developments

In 2018, Owen Bonnici, then Planning Minister, approved the Nigret project. It was a modest residential development, with plans for 120 apartments spread across three blocks. Fast forward to 2021, and the project has morphed into Nigret Towers, a whopping 320-apartment complex, with two additional towers and a commercial space thrown in for good measure. The catch? Bonnici is out, Vella is in, and the project has grown like toadstools after rain.

Vella, a former Labour MP for Msida and Gżira, was appointed Planning Authority Chairman in January. His appointment was controversial, with the Opposition accusing the government of cronyism. Now, his role in the Nigret Towers project is under scrutiny. “We’re not against development,” says Marthese Portelli, chairperson of the Gżira Local Council. “But this is too much, too fast, and it’s happening on our doorstep without our consent.”

Environmental Concerns: More Than Just a View

The Nigret Towers project is set to cast a long shadow, literally. Environmental NGOs like Din l-Art Ħelwa and Nature Trust Malta are up in arms about the project’s impact on the surrounding area. The towers will block views of the sea from nearby residential areas and the Msida Creek, a protected wetland area.

“This development will have a significant visual impact on the area,” says Andrew Borg, CEO of Din l-Art Ħelwa. “But it’s more than just a view. The Msida Creek is a vital ecosystem, and these towers will cast a shadow over it, both literally and figuratively.”

‘Vote Owen, Get George’: A Question of Democracy

The Nigret Towers project is raising questions about democracy and accountability. Residents voted for Bonnici, who approved the original Nigret project. Now, they’re stuck with Vella, who’s pushing through a significantly larger development. “It’s like we voted for a main course, but we’re getting a main course with all the trimmings, whether we like it or not,” says Portelli.

Vella maintains that the Planning Authority’s decision is independent and based on merit. But critics point out that the PA’s decisions are subject to political influence. “The Planning Authority is supposed to be an independent body,” says Borg. “But when the Chairman is a former MP from the same party as the Minister who approved the original project, it’s hard to see how that can be the case.”

Residents and NGOs are now calling for a public inquiry into the Nigret Towers project. They want to know how the project’s scale increased so dramatically, and whether the Planning Authority’s decision was influenced by political considerations.

As the battle over Nigret Towers rages on, one thing is clear: Malta’s planning process is under the microscope. And with local elections just around the corner, the question on everyone’s lips is: Who will you vote for, and what will you get?