John Dalli appears on Indian tycoon’s application for Dwejra development, despite denials

The personal email address of disgraced former European Commissioner John Dalli appears on the planning development application of Indian tycoon Vijay Kumar Berlia to turn a disused quarry in Gozo’s protected Dwejra coastline into a fully-fledged industrial area.

When The Shift had revealed the application for the extension and development of a quarry in an ecologically sensitive area, Dalli had denied knowing anything about the plans to develop the ODZ area, known as Tal-Qattara.

Sources in Gozo insisted Dalli was frequently seen in the company of the Indian tycoon, in both Malta and Gozo, and insisted that the former Finance Minister was somehow involved in the attempt to transform the massive ODZ land into a new quarry.

Further research carried out by The Shift shows that Berlia, whose family has bought Maltese passports, listed Dalli’s email address in the application in case the Planning Authority wanted any clarifications on his application or to contact him.

This contradicts John Dalli’s statement to The Shift last month that he had absolutely nothing to do with Berlia’s business interests in Malta and that he was “just a friend” of the Dubai-based Indian tycoon.

“I am a friend of Berlia. I am not his consultant. I did not broker any deal for him as he takes his own decisions,” Dalli, 72, still working as a business consultant, had told The Shift.

Dalli insisted that “Berlia had his own architectural, legal and accounting professionals that help him whenever the need arises”.

He said he was introduced to Berlia when he first came to Malta more than three years ago. He insisted that he has no business connections with the Dubai-based chairman of The Svran Group and that he is not involved in his business dealings in Malta.

When The Shift returned to Dalli to explain how his personal email address was on Berlia’s application, Dalli went silent.

Vijay Kumar Berlia and the plans submitted to the Planning Authority for excavation of the site.

The proposed development

In February, The Shift revealed that Berlia, a multi-millionaire who controls a large international conglomerate of companies involved in various business sectors, submitted an application (fronted by architect Alex Bigeni) proposing to extend and develop a small disused quarry on 30,000 square metres of ODZ land that includes a protected area.

This development application immediately raised eyebrows among the Gozitan business community that questioned the interest in a remote part of Gozo.

Berlia had acquired the land, which includes a decades-old small, abandoned quarry from Teddy and Nenu Grima, known as ‘Tal-Giegu’. It is not yet known what Berlia paid the Grimas for the land and whether an intermediary was involved.

The area Vijay Kumar Berlia wants to develop.

So far, the application has only reached its screening process and has not been put up for public consultation. The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has already shot down the application declaring, in no unequivocal terms, that it’s an unacceptable development.

Yet Berlia’s architect, Alex Bigeni, who also happens to be related to the Gozo Minister and is the main architect used by developer Joseph Portelli, is insisting that the application continues its full process.

The San Lawrenz local council and a number of environmental organisations have already declared their opposition to this proposal.

                           

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay in the know

Get special updates directly in your inbox
Don't worry we do not spam
                           
                               
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Winston Smith
Winston Smith
3 years ago

While Hon. Aaron Farrugia donates wild flowers seeds he allows the very habitat of these plants to be destroyed. This application should not have even reach the consideration stage. According to the Natura 2000 Management Plan (SAC/SPA) p.56 figure 22 this site falls within Natura2000 boundary. It is also in an area of archeological importance having both cart ruts and a unique basin cut in the stone thought to be used during the Roman era for wine production. (Actually area has yet to be thoroughly studied) It is skirts a protected valley already subject to massive abuses from quarrying. It is also fringes upon the habitat of the Yelkouan Sharewater and would be a source of light pollution that has a negative impact on their ability to navigate.

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
3 years ago
Reply to  Winston Smith

Do not worry about the flora or the fauna of the area, my friend.

There will surely be enough windows in the proposed ‘development’ on which to place pots of poppies and other wildflowers for the bees to continue their polluting activities using these as their alternative source!

Besides, the Shearwaters will certainly not mind losing their accustomed breeding area – they too will be very happy to find new pastures away from the abundant lead shot of the ‘conservationists’ hitherto looking after them at Dwejra!

M.Galea
M.Galea
3 years ago
Reply to  Winston Smith

Well said.

saviour mamo
saviour mamo
3 years ago

“just a friend” can mean so many things.

Isle of corruption
Isle of corruption
3 years ago

The puppet master?

M.Galea
M.Galea
3 years ago

LIAR LIAR!

Henry s Pace
Henry s Pace
3 years ago

‘ a number of environmental organisations have already declared their opposition to this proposal. ‘
Kollox ghal-xein.

Cecil Jones
Cecil Jones
3 years ago

LEAVE GOZO ALONE!

Related Stories

Opinion: A different gap
The latest survey shows Labour’s dominance has ended. The
Change of planning rules in the pipeline to accommodate Villa Rosa developer
The government has ordered the Planning Authority (PA) to

Our Awards and Media Partners

Award logo Award logo Award logo