Ramblers' association launched

A ramblers' association was set up yesterday, which in the words of its co-ordinator, Lino Bugeja, will be pushing for the opening of pathways in the countryside.

About 170 people crowded into one of the halls at the premises of Din l-Art Helwa in Valletta to back the clarion call, that Mr Bugeja has been making during the past months, for allowing trekkers to enjoy their pastime without hussle or harassment.

In his short introduction, Mr Bugeja announced that the Ramblers Association of Malta will be lobbying the government to set up a unit that the association will be able to deal with directly to put right so many things which have irked ramblers for so long.

"Let us stop the rot through the setting up of a ramblers' association which will promote rambling as a means of a healthy lifestyle and provide ramblers with specific information about their rights and responsibilities," Mr Bugeja said

He suggested that ramblers involve their MPs and MEPs so that the proper legislation would be enacted to give back to the citizen the basic rights enshrined in the Constitution.

"If the rights would not be clearly defined then the ramblers' association will seek consultation from the European Union," Mr Bugeja added.

The setting up of the Ramblers' Association of Malta was unanimously agreed to by all those attending the meeting. The working committee appointed yesterday will be meeting in a fortnight's time to draft the association's statute, aims and objectives, and prepare for a general meeting later on this year.

The committee includes Lino Bugeja, Joe Bugeja, Patricia Pace, Alan Deidun, Eric Vella, Annalise Falzon, Bernard Bonnici and Marianne Mangion.

Addressing the meeting, Martin Scicluna, executive director of Din l-Art Helwa, expressed the full support to the association on behalf of the NGO he leads.

He called for an immediate stop to the hijack of the countryside and that on Saturday during the annual general meeting of Din l-Art Helwa, he will be filing a motion in this spirit.

Lino Bugeja can be contacted on: oakev@maltanet.net.