The protests against the project at Hondoq ir-Rummien are justified and deserve backing - Dr. Alfred Sant.

The protests which are being held against he project comprising villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien,Qala, Gozo, not only are justified, but they deserve the backing of all the Maltese and Gozitan people. This was said, this morning, by the Leader of the Labour Party Dr. Alfred Sant, in a press conference ont he spot, where the project is being proposed, and after, moments before, he met a number of residents and families from the village of Qala, Gozo.

Dr. Sant said that the Nationalist government is proposing a project of villas, luxury apartments, a hotel and a yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien. The Leader of the Malta Labour Party saidm that from the meetings he had with the residents of Qala, it emerges out that the complaints that are being held against this project are justified, valid and strong complaints.

A visit on the spot where this project is being proposed, said Dr. Sant, clearly confirms that this project should not be accomplished becasue it amounts into a harsh speculation of the area which is one of the most beautiful in Malta and Gozo. This place abounds in a large potentiality for tourism and offers rest and a better life for all the Gozitans, Maltese and tourists.

Thus, emphasised Dr. Sant, the project which is being proposed amounts into an exploitation of a priceless land and a speculation on its value, when the villas and the apartments are built. The aim of this project is nothing more than this land be used so that certain people make large amounts of money.

Dr. Sant said the development being proposed at Hondoq ir-Rummien neither is the development Qala and Gozo need, nor the way to generate work. The leader of the Malta Labour party said that it is not true that the project as it is being proposed leads for long sustainable jobs in Gozo.

Amongst the Qala residents with whom the Leader of the Malta Labour party met before the press conference, was Paul Buttigieg, an activist against the project of Hondoq ir-Rummien and Fr. Lawrence Theuma. Both of them explained in detail, to Dr. Sant their objections versus the project. Foreign residents residing in Qala were also present at the press conference.

On behalf of the malta Labour Party, for the press conference, were present the Deputy leader Dr. Michael Falzon, the Secretary General Jason Micallef, the Gozitan M. P. s Anton Refalo and Justyne Caruana, the spokesperson for the ambient Roderick Galdes, the Qala Labour councillers Anthony Camilleri and Ivan Falzon, the Labour candidate Joe Cordina and officials of the Labour District Committee for Gozo.