Government Reaches Deal to Return Manoel Island and Tigné Fort to Public Ownership, Says Minister Owen Bonnici

Owen Bonnici, Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, has announced that Manoel Island and the Fortizza ta’ Tigné are set to be returned to public ownership following negotiations with developer MIDI plc.

In a statement, the Minister said the government had reached an agreement to terminate part of a 99-year concession granted in 2000, which had transferred control of Manoel Island and the historic fort to the company.

Bonnici explained that MIDI had initially requested €78 million in compensation for works carried out on the site, including restoration and infrastructure projects.

However, the government negotiated the amount down to €43 million, covering both Manoel Island and the Fortizza ta’ Tigné.

He described the process as “long and delicate,” noting that alternative options, such as court proceedings, could have led to lengthy legal disputes.

The agreement is expected to be presented to Parliament, after which Heritage Malta will prepare to assume responsibility for the sites once the final contract is signed.

#MaltaDaily