Alternattiva Demokratika, The Green Party has said they are four square with todays environmental NGOs statement, and insist with MEPA and government that plans regarding Ta’ Cenc should immediately be put online. “The disrespect for the citizen on the part of MEPA is becoming unacceptable.”

The Green Party reminds how back in 2005, the AD Gozo Regional Committee was informed by the EU Commissioner for the Environment ithat the Maltese Government and MEPA had failed to include Ta’ Cenc in the list of sites to be protected under the Natura 2000 network scheme.

AD secretary general and spokesman for Gozo, Mr. Victor Galea said “Three years later, we still have concerned citizens and NGOs struggling for transparency in the process of the proposed developments at Ta’ Cenc. It is a pity that the government and the Gozo Ministry still seem to be unaware of the ecological, ornithological and geomorphologic uniqueness of Ta’ Cenc. It is extremely disappointing that notwithstanding the echoing of the Eco-Gozo project, the Ministry for Gozo still finds it hard to express a simple opinion on this issue.”

Mr. Galea added: “It is absolutely unacceptable that the Ta’ Cenc site, home to various birds, endemic species and historical remains, has not been included in the list of protected sites. Ta’ Cenc is a place of unique importance, not only because of its special bio-diversity but also because the natural beauty of the place – with its unique diversity. It is a source of attraction for Maltese and tourists and thus a source of much needed income for the local economy.”

Alternattiva Demokratika’s chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola, concluded, “The behaviour of the Maltese government on the long dragging Ta’ Cenc issue is, to say the least, irresponsible. The message sent out by the government is that it does not really care about safeguarding Gozo’s unique heritage, despite all the hype about Gozo as an eco-island. Ta’ Cenc deserves to be scheduled immediately and fully as a Natura 2000 site”.