NEWS | Wednesday, 05 December 2007

Party proposals into rehabilitating Grand Harbour more or less similar
Charlot Zahra

The visions presented by the Government and the Labour Party for the rehabilitation of the Grand Harbour area, which were presented within the space of a few weeks, have various points in common. Barely a month and a half after Austin Gatt’s innovative vision for the Grand Harbour, the MLP return with another vision for the Grand Harbour.
Both of them propose the construction of new berthing spaces for yachts and super-yachts in order to increase the amount of tourists coming to Malta by boat in what is a very lucrative business.
They are also in agreement on the extension of the VISET terminal to the Liesse area in order to enhance the country’s capabilities in the cruise-liner sector, which has been booming for the past few years.
Another common factor between the two visions is the rehabilitation of the Marsa Power Station, which has been an environmental headache for residents in the area for tens of years now.
Both parties are also in agreement on the relocation of the tank cleaning facilities at Ricasoli, with Labour proposing that it should be transferred to Corradino.
As for infrastructural projects, Labour is proposing a five-star hotel at Evans Building in Valletta and at Bighi in Kalkara complete with berths for super yachts underneath while the Government is proposing a five star hotel at the site of the Boffa Hospital.
On its part, the Labour Party is proposing to retain Boffa Hospital as an international class medical facility.
Perhaps the most daring idea by the Labour Party is to provide a transport service joining the Grand Harbour to Marsamxett. This will be achieved by digging a new tunnel underneath or else by digging deeper the ditch underneath Valletta.