PN Adviser’s Role in Ġgantija Heights Project Raises Eyebrows
Political Irony: PN Adviser Linked to Ġgantija Heights Project
Standing at the foot of Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra, one can’t help but marvel at the ancient megalithic structures that have stood the test of time. Yet, the proposed Ġgantija Heights project nearby has sparked a modern-day controversy that’s dividing the island. At the heart of this storm is a Nationalist Party (PN) adviser, whose involvement in the project is raising eyebrows, given his party’s vocal opposition to it.
From Opposition to Involvement
In 2019, the PN, led by Adrian Delia, lambasted the Labour government’s plans for Ġgantija Heights, calling it a “scandalous” project that would “destroy the rural scene” and “betray our cultural heritage.” Fast forward to 2023, and it’s revealed that a high-ranking PN adviser, Dr. David Pace, is a director of the company behind the contentious development.
Dr. Pace, a respected lawyer and academic, has been an active member of the PN, serving on various committees and advisory boards. His LinkedIn profile lists him as a director of Għajn Żgħir Developments Ltd., the company proposing the Ġgantija Heights project. This revelation has left many within the PN and the wider public scratching their heads, wondering how a party that once vehemently opposed the project could now be linked to it through one of its top advisers.
PN’s Response: “No Conflict of Interest”
The PN has been quick to distance itself from the controversy, insisting that there’s no conflict of interest. Party spokesperson Dr. David Thake told Hot Malta, “Dr. Pace’s role in the company is purely in his personal capacity. He has no decision-making powers and does not represent the PN in any way.” He added, “The PN’s position on the Ġgantija Heights project remains unchanged. We are opposed to any development that threatens our cultural heritage and rural scene.”
However, critics argue that Dr. Pace’s involvement, regardless of his role, sends a mixed message and undermines the PN’s stance on the project. They question how a party can claim to oppose a development while one of its top advisers is involved in the very project it condemns.
Ġgantija Heights: A Brief Overview
The proposed Ġgantija Heights project involves the construction of luxury apartments and villas on a 100,000 square meter plot of land adjacent to the Ġgantija Temples. The project, valued at over €100 million, has been met with strong opposition from environmentalists, cultural heritage advocates, and local residents, who argue that it will spoil the rural scene and threaten the integrity of the ancient temples.
The project has been mired in controversy since its inception, with numerous petitions, protests, and legal challenges aimed at stopping it. Despite this, the Planning Authority gave the project the green light in 2020, a decision that’s currently being challenged in court.
