PN Adviser’s Irony: Ġgantija Heights Project He Once Condemned
PN Adviser’s Irony: Ġgantija Heights Project He Once Condemned
In a twist of political irony, it’s emerged that a Nationalist Party (PN) adviser was involved in the Ġgantija Heights project, a development his party once labelled ‘scandalous’. The revelation has sparked fresh debate about political ties and conflicts of interest in Malta’s property sector.
From Critic to Consultant
Dr. David Pace, a PN political adviser and former MP, has been named as a consultant for the Ġgantija Heights project in Xewkija, Gozo. The project, a 15-storey apartment block, was at the heart of a political storm in 2018 when the PN accused the Labour Party (PL) administration of approving it in a ‘backroom deal’.
At the time, Pace was a vocal critic of the project. He described it as ‘an eyesore that will scar the scene of Gozo forever’. His party even submitted a parliamentary question, asking how much the project would cost taxpayers and whether it was approved ‘under the table’.
Pace’s Role and PN’s Response
Pace’s current role in the project is not clear, but sources close to the development say he has been providing ‘consultation services’ to the project’s promoters. When contacted, Pace confirmed his involvement but declined to comment further.
The PN, meanwhile, has distanced itself from Pace’s actions. A party spokesperson told Hot Malta, ‘Dr. Pace’s actions are his own and do not reflect the party’s position on the Ġgantija Heights project.’
However, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech has called for a full explanation. ‘Malta deserves to know why a PN political adviser was involved in a project his party once condemned,’ he said.
Conflicts of Interest and the Way Forward
The Ġgantija Heights controversy has reignited debates about conflicts of interest in Maltese politics. While Pace is not a government minister or a government employee, his role as a political adviser raises questions about the influence of political ties in Malta’s property sector.
Dr. Michael Briguglio, a political scientist at the University of Malta, told Hot Malta, ‘This is not an isolated incident. We need stronger regulations to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure transparency in our political system.’
As the Ġgantija Heights saga unfolds, all eyes are on Pace and the PN. The party will need to address the irony of its adviser’s role in a project it once condemned. Meanwhile, Pace’s involvement raises important questions about conflicts of interest and the need for stricter regulations in Maltese politics.
