Manoel Island and Fort Tigné Set to Be Returned to the Public

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that Manoel Island and Fort Tigné will be returned to the Maltese public after the board of directors of MIDI plc agreed to terminate the concession agreement signed in 2000 with previous administrations.

In a video message, Abela said the decision fulfils a promise made earlier this year to give Manoel Island back to the people, adding that Fort Tigné will also be returned to the public as part of the same process.

The original agreement granted MIDI a 99-year emphyteutical concession to carry out major development projects on Manoel Island and at Tigné Point. However, the Prime Minister explained that development on Manoel Island had not taken place, prompting the government to begin negotiations with the consortium so that the project would not proceed.

Abela said discussions later intensified after it emerged that development could take place at Fort Tigné as well, with the government insisting from the outset that it would not pay any compensation related to the value of the land at Manoel Island.

Instead, the government will only pay for verified and justified expenses incurred by MIDI to restore certain areas of Manoel Island to the state they were in before the original concession. Even then, the government will cover only slightly more than half of the verified costs, taking into account circumstances that occurred over the years.

The Prime Minister said the move will allow these prime sites to be transformed into national parks for Maltese families to enjoy. The initiative forms part of a broader vision that also includes projects at White Rocks, Fort Campbell and Fort San Salvatore.

Abela added that consultations are already underway with families, engineers and even children as part of the “Shape Your Space” initiative to help design these green areas.

He concluded by thanking all those involved in the negotiations, as well as the many families and organisations who called for Manoel Island to be returned to the public, saying that Malta’s strong economy now makes it possible to turn long-standing aspirations into reality.

#MaltaDaily