Resistance to build at Żonqor Point will increase, Front Ħarsien ODZ warned yesterday, in reaction to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s statement that part of a proposed university will still be built in the area.

“The Prime Minister is being absolutist and stubborn in ignoring civil society’s opposition to development at Żonqor,” the NGO said in a statement.

This is even more worrying when he chose to make this declaration when Parliament is in summer recess and without publishing the agreement with developers Sadeen Group, it said.

The front asked that a declaration should be made by the Prime Minister as to whether any electoral obligations exist with Sadeen Group.

Din l-Art Ħelwa also opposed to the Prime Minister’s statement, insisting that the public consultation exercise to find an alternative site was a sham. It said it could not understand Dr Muscat’s argument that not building the university at Żonqor would be “absolutist”.

“Sticking to principles is not being absolutist,” said Din l-Art Ħelwa president Maria Grazia Cassar. “This is not just about Żonqor Point, but about the future of Malta’s countryside and natural spaces.

“It is unbelievable that the project is still forging ahead in an ODZ area, when there are numerous other alternatives. It is a big let down for all of us.”