Din L-Art Ħelwa makes direct offer to MIDI to secure Fort Tigné ‘for the nation’

Din l-Art Ħelwa – National Trust for Malta has formally written to the Chief Executive Officer of MIDI plc with a direct offer to match the terms of the promise of sale agreement for the temporary emphyteusis of Fort Tigné, the NGO said Tuesday.

This offer, for the sum of €2.5 million, is made in direct response to MIDI’s recent public announcement. It aligns with the clear national consensus articulated by the Prime Minister, who judiciously stated that turning the historic fort into a hotel would be “obscene”. Therefore, it is understood that the Government will exercise its right of veto to prevent this eventuality, Din l-Art Ħelwa said Tuesday.

MIDI plc announced that on 16 December it entered into a promise of sale agreement with J. Portelli Projects Ltd to sell the lease for Fort Tigne. The property forms part of the land granted by the Government of Malta to MIDI by title of temporary emphyteusis for 99 years in virtue of a public deed of the 15 June 2000.

The announcement sparked public outrage with Din l-Art Helwa immedialy saying it was prepared to match the terms of the deal. The Prime Minister is also on record stating that the Government is open to ideas for the repurposing of the fort. “Our offer is straightforward and serious,” Patrick Calleja, Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa, said on Tuesday.

“We are prepared to match the commercial agreement presently on the table but with one fundamental difference: our plan ensures Fort Tigné is preserved, restored and opened to the public. We are providing MIDI with a prudent path to fulfil its financial objective while resolving a matter of significant public concern. The nation regains a key historic asset and the controversy surrounding the site’s future is finally concluded. As suggested by the Prime Minister, Din l-Art Ħelwa is ready to collaborate with the Government and to present a conceptual proposal for Fort Tigné.”

Din l-Art Ħelwa’s proposal also guarantees that this Grade 1 scheduled fort, which forms part of Malta’s UNESCO Tentative List, will be rehabilitated exclusively for cultural, educational and community purposes for this and future generations. Din l-Art Ħelwa has called on MIDI to acknowledge the offer and to engage in discussions to take the matter forward.