Planning Minister inaugurates unfinished ground and illegal clubhouse

Football ground president is the Minister’s driver

 

A new football ground in Qala inaugurated with great pomp by Planning and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri a few days before June’s MEP and local council elections, is actually half-finished and inundated with planning irregularities.

Minister Camilleri threw a party, costing taxpayers thousands, inviting voters to attend the official inauguration of the “state-of-the-art” investment in Gozitan sports. Yet it was a half-baked project despite already costing the public €400,000.

The President of the Qala Saints Football Club, Noel Mizzi, also doubles as the Minister’s official driver and manages the facility. He has now applied to sanction most of the works carried beneath the ground, forming part of the clubhouse.

Most of the work was not carried out according to approved plans, while other structures were inserted without the necessary green light from the Planning Authority.

Minister and Mrs Camilleri and their driver-President Noel Mizzi.

“It’s a pity that the Gozo Minister only sees such projects as another source of votes. The ground should have spectator stands, and that is what we were promised. However, Clint Camilleri was in too much of a hurry,” a member of the Qala Saints football club committee told The Shift.

Research by The Shift shows that in 2016, when Minister Camilleri was Qala Mayor, he applied for the refurbishment of the football facilities, including building a large stand and other training facilities.

For some reason, this was not built even though the rock was excavated for construction.

Also, the clubhouse underneath the ground wasn’t built according to the plans submitted by Camilleri.

At its inauguration, the clubhouse was still in shell form and did not even have windows or doors, according to committee members.

Minister Camilleri, who earlier this year was given the Planning Authority portfolio by Prime Minister Robert Abela, is considered in political circles to be one of the most parochial cabinet members. He frequently engages in votes-for-favours, trying to outdo his political rivals from Gozo, Labour cabinet members Anton Refalo and Jo Etienne Abela.

The Shift is informed that just a few months ago, Camilleri was also personally involved in helping the prime minister negotiate the acquisition of ODZ land next to his farmhouse in Xewkija. Robert Abela and his wife, Lydia, are now developing the farmhouse into a boutique hotel.

                           

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6 Comments
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simon oosterman
simon oosterman
23 days ago

Do we live in a great country or what?

Paul Bonello
Paul Bonello
23 days ago

We live in a shit hole almost all- round

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
23 days ago
Reply to  Paul Bonello

And at the centre of that hole thrives you know who!!

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
23 days ago

Nothing at all to worry about.

When, not if, the illegalities will be sanctioned by the P.A, we will have another and even greater and more costly inauguration ceremony.

The sooner the better however – as the future beckons……..

Last edited 23 days ago by Joseph Tabone Adami
Pony Express
Pony Express
23 days ago

Ma nafx ghalfejn. Imma dan Clint Camilleri ifakkarni f’Giovanna…..l-Imperatrici (ex issa hux) ta’ Ghawdex.

Lino
Lino
18 days ago
Reply to  Pony Express

Taf x’naf inghid, li Giovanna (u zewgha) qatt ma nstabet hatja ta’ ebda hazen, minkejja li l-gvern ipprova kemm seta’

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