Gozo Ministry in illegal construction works at Xewkija racecourse

The Gozo Ministry has carried out illegal construction work on horse stables on the island’s Ta’ Xhajma racecourse and it is now asking the Planning Authority to sanction it only after it was exposed.

Amidst rampant construction abuse all over Malta’s sister island, the Gozo Ministry gave orders for several horse stables forming part of the government-managed horse racing course to be demolished to make way for new ones.

But instead of first seeking a Planning Authority development permit, demolition work was carried out illegally. The ministry has now applied to sanction the illegal work and to build additional new stables.

Following questions from Gozitan Opposition MP Chris Said, Minister Camilleri justified the illegal demolition work by saying it was urgent because the stables had become dangerous.

The Shift is informed that just a day before demolition started, the stables were being used to house several horses and their jockeys, who were not informed that they were apparently risking life and limb.

The minister also declined, when pressed, to publish the dangerous structure (DS) permit that the PA is required to issue before any such demolition.

Shortly after Said’s parliamentary quizzing and the illegalities were made public, a new application was filed by the ministry’s architect Godwin Sultana to “sanction the demolition of dangerous structures and rebuild stables”.

The ministry’s application to sanction the illegalities, which are now a Project Description Statement.

The PA has so far not given the ministry the permit and has asked the government first produce a Project Description Statement.

While not objecting to the permit, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage on its part made it clear that the ministry had carried out the works illegally.

“This development application is for the sanctioning of works not covered by a development permit, as well as for interventions associated with the works proposed for sanctioning. The sanctioning or otherwise of such works falls under the responsibility of the Planning Authority, and is to be treated within its procedures,” the Superintendence said.

The Shift is informed that the demolition work, carried on the instructions of Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, has already cost close to €250,000. It was contracted to Elzan Construction, which is owned by Gozitan Francesco Grima.

                           

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11 Comments
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Darren Muscat
Darren Muscat
1 year ago

250,000 thousand to demolish some stables? Kemm hu easy tonfoq il-flus li ma humiex tieghek!

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
1 year ago

There is nothing illegal in Gozo. Only Maltese car drivers are the law-breakers there!!

Alfred Tonna
Alfred Tonna
1 year ago

We are really living in the Wild West mode were Cowboys, shoot first, ask later.

Albert Mamo
Albert Mamo
1 year ago

AS USUAL, GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL. THIS FASCIST LABOUR REGIME DOES WHAT IT WANTS, FASCIST STYLE!!!

€250,000 FOR A FEW STABLES. SOMEBODY MADE A PRETTY BACK HANDER PENNY!!!

LETS NOT FORGET THE LABOUR MOTTO. “SHOW ME THE MONEY”!!!

Out of Curiosity
Out of Curiosity
1 year ago

I would like to give Minister Clyde Caruana one good advice if he wants to salvage his reputation. Move away from this corrupt lot before it is too late. You know much better than these criminals and you do not deserve to be part of this amateurish government. You know well that you cannot control the greed of these lucrative bastards. RESIGN AND MOVE ON.

Rosanne formosa
Rosanne formosa
1 year ago

I agree… save your name, your face and any decency…Move out before its too late….. pick up your dignity and move on!!!
You are the sacrificed lamb.

M.Galea
M.Galea
1 year ago

U xi nghidu ghal pastazata li qeda ssir wara l istalel!? Hadd ma qal xejn jew oggezzjona dil pastazata!

John C.
John C.
1 year ago

Il-Ministeru tas-serq, qerq u korruzjoni. Tellieqa min jakwista l-aktar. Ara fiex gabuh Ministeru.

No corruption
No corruption
1 year ago

Elzan hemm minnhom jahdmu l- Ministeru ta’ Ghawdex?

Philip
Philip
1 year ago

Rubbish Rubbish dawk mittaxxi taghna mhux taghkhom biex tomfquhom kif tridhu.

Toni Borg
Toni Borg
1 year ago

la il gvern jikser il ligijiet ghalfejn il poplu ghandu joqghod ghal lis stess ligijiet????

Banana Republic!!!

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