PN Adviser Linked to Controversial Ġgantija Heights Project
Political Twist: PN Adviser Linked to Ġgantija Heights Project
Standing at the foot of the ancient Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra, one can’t help but marvel at the contrast between the prehistoric giants and the modern-day controversy brewing nearby. The Ġgantija Heights project, once dismissed as ‘scandalous’ by the Nationalist Party (PN), now finds itself entangled in a web of political intrigue, with a PN adviser emerging as a key figure.
From ‘Scandalous’ to Controversial
In 2018, then Opposition Leader Bernard Grech lambasted the Labour government’s Ġgantija Heights project, describing it as ‘scandalous’ and ‘an attack on our cultural heritage’. The proposed development, a mix of residential and commercial units, was set to rise near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking outrage among cultural heritage advocates and locals.
Fast forward to 2023, and the project, now scaled down, is back in the spotlight. This time, it’s not the scale or design that’s raising eyebrows, but the involvement of a PN adviser, Dr. Joseph Aquilina.
Dr. Joseph Aquilina: Adviser and Developer
Dr. Aquilina, a prominent figure in the PN, serves as an adviser to the party’s leader, Bernard Grech. However, it’s his other role that’s causing a stir – he’s also a director of the company behind the Ġgantija Heights project, Xagħra Developments Ltd.
Documents obtained by Hot Malta reveal that Dr. Aquilina was appointed to the company’s board in 2020, a year after the PN’s scathing criticism of the project. When asked about the apparent conflict of interest, Dr. Aquilina declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the PN maintains that Dr. Aquilina’s role in the company is a personal matter and does not reflect the party’s stance on the project. However, critics argue that the adviser’s involvement undermines the PN’s previous criticism of the development.
