Gozitan NGOs slam Alex Borg, government over high-rise comments
Opposition leader insists he only wants “sustainable progress.”
A group of Gozitan NGOs has slammed Opposition leader Alex Borg, as well as the government, over comments regarding the prospect of high-rise towers being built in Gozo.
In an interview with whoswho.mt, Borg was asked whether he would support the development of a high-rise tower in Gozo. The PN leader replied:
“You cannot generalise Gozo as a whole. There are places where there could be [towers] based on a skyline policy, and there are areas where there shouldn't be, for example, in village cores,” Borg said.
Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with several Labour MPs, latched onto Borg’s reply. In an interview on Sunday, Abela said he was “shocked” by the Opposition leader’s response.
The Coalition For Gozo, made up of NGOs Wirt Għawdex, Din L-Art Helwa Għawdex and Għawdix, said the row could be called a tragicomedy, “if it were not for the fact that it is all tragic and no comedy.”
“The Coalition for Gozo is sick and tired of all the petty politics being played out while Gozo burns. We would like to suggest to the new leader of the Opposition that he clearly articulates where he stands,” the NGOs said, calling on Borg to make it clear that any new planning policy, skyline policy or decision on building heights in Gozo should be formulated only after a detailed and meaningful consultation process.
The NGOs also called out the Prime Minister and Planning and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who stated that he would never support the construction of high-rises in Gozo.
“Under his [Camilleri’s] watch and that of his predecessors in the PL, every town and village in Gozo has been under constant assault and the island on the way to transformation from a dream island to a nightmare island.”
The coalition noted that while Abela was feigning shock at Borg’s comments, he was trying to force through controversial planning legislation reforms that have been heavily criticised by NGOs.
Borg seeks to clarify comments
Speaking at the PN’s Independence Day celebrations in Valletta on Sunday, Borg accused the government of spinning his words.
“In the interview I said that local plans should be reviewed – not to regress but so we can have sustainable progress – progress that can be enjoyed by future generations. I mentioned that we need a skyline policy, because the government has not yet created one despite the fact that several towers have been built,” he said.
Borg insisted he would continue to defend Gozo and not allow anyone to exploit it.
“Gozo has an identity and a character, and we will stand by its people,” he concluded.