The Ministry for Gozo has just issued a statement referring to the controversy over the expropriation of land at Nadur.

"The Ministry for Gozo would like to draw the attention to that which has been said and published on the various local communications media during last weekend and throughout this week carrying abusive and malicious allegations against the person of the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, whilst carrying out the duties of acting Prim Minister. These accusations carry various erroneous insinuations and false accusations, meant to denigrate the actions or intentions of the Hon. Giovanna Debono, and which serve as an unjust and unfounded personal attack on her.

The mentioned articles and broadcasted services make serious accusations with regard to the Hon. Giovanna Debono, while serving as Acting Prime Minister in the absence of the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi.

It must be clarified that at no point, during her acting appointment, was the Hon. Giovanna Debono approached or requested to take any decision regarding the case alleged in this article. In fact, the procedures involving cases of land expropriation for public use, in no way involve the Office of the Prime Minister. So much so, that notice no: 285 published in the Government Gazette of the 3rd April 2008, which refers to the 'Acquisition of land' in question, was signed by the President of Malta. In the said articles and broadcasted services, the journalists' maliciously used Government Notice No: 284, printed on the same page of the same Government Gazette, by means of which Giovanna Debono's appointment as Acting Prime Minister was published. These two notifications are in no way whatsoever related nor do they have any relevance to each other.

Regarding the alleged denial of a family's right to build a dwelling on the land in question, facts are also totally different from allegations in the same article. According to the Local Plan for Gozo and Comino the land in question is clearly identified as a 'Green Area' on Map 14.7-C .

All this confirms the malicious and devious manner used by the journalists' of the said articles and broadcasted services, whose aim was to unjustly attack the Hon. Giovanna Debono by defaming her in her capacity as Minister for Gozo as well as at the time when she was carrying on the duties of Acting Prime Minister."

Miriam Muscat Acting Communications Coordinator Ministry for Gozo