Problems at Addolorata revisited

In his Letter entitled "Private graves at Addolorata Cemetery" (The Sunday Times, April 30), Mr Publius Agius, Acting Director of Information, expresses disapproval of the tone I adopted in my article (April 9).

He states that the Department of Public Health is disturbed by my "insinuations of a hidden agenda" and "speculations" and, furthermore, by my criticism "directed at the Department of Public Health and the minister in particular".

Mr Agius, in his capacity as Acting Director of Information, tells us that he believes in transparency and honesty. It has not occurred to him that transparency involves ready access to reliable, comprehensive, timely and understandable information. He should know that although the information given by the Department of Public Health appears to be abundant, there is always the danger for one to run ahead and base one's trust on vague inferences. 

The 2,665 applicants for a family grave at the Addolorata Cemetery expect Mr Agius to clearly and unequivocally address each of these six issues which I had already referred to in my article and which he has so conveniently side-stepped.

(i) It has been made abundantly clear by the Minister of Public Health in his reply to parliamentary questions that once development permission is in hand, the government would extend the Addolorata Cemetery. Four years have elapsed since the Department of Public Health submitted its application for an extension. Has this unreasonable delay been due to the intermittent changes of management or architects within the Public Works Department? Has MEPA been dragging its feet all along or has the delay been caused by late submission of information it requested from the PWD architects? Am I right in saying that the commissioning of an independent architect would have expedited matters significantly thanks to the private architect's interest to complete the job and get paid as soon possible?

(ii) There are 2,665 pending applications. I maintain there are not a great deal more than 1,200 graves which will become available to the public in the proposed extension. In this scenario, what will happen to those unsatisfied applicants? Given that the last allocation of graves at the Addolorata took place in 1991, do these applicants have to wait another 15 years or so for an allocation of a family grave?

While I am on this subject, the waiting list for a family grave at the Burmarrad Cemetery comes to mind. It is my understanding that in November 2005 there was a list of 490 applicants for a family grave. By that time, 130 out of 160 graves had been completed and ready for allocation to the public within a short time, subject to the necessary research by a government notary. An updated picture of developments since then will certainly not go amiss. Furthermore, it would help if the applicants are given a firm date as to when the Addolorata and Burmarrad family graves would be allocated.

(iii) The delay over the extension of the Addolorata is being attributed by some people to a hidden agenda by the government to privatise the cemetery. An official word from the Department of Public Health will go a long way in dispelling the applicants' fears and anxieties.

(iv) It is right to say, and it is important to know, that according to Article 3 (4) of the Burials Ordinance, the transfer of graves is not permitted and that all transfers in government cemeteries require the approval of the Director-General of Public Health and such requests are not approved in cases where the transfer requested is by means of sale. However, I am informed that the law allows transfer by donation which is what has created the black market price of my quoted Lm6,000.

(v) It is gratifying to know that the Department of Public Health had at one stage identified a site which could be used for a crematorium operated by the public sector. Three private companies had shown an interest but later withdrew their interest after conducting feasibility studies. The costs for the building of a crematorium were prohibitive (The Times, January 19). The building of a crematorium would significantly help to relieve this problem possibly with the financial aid of the European Union. It would also help Malta not to be an island full of cemeteries, as Mr Agius put it.

People choose cremation either for personal, emotive or psychological reasons, or because of hygiene or ecological or family factors. The Catholic Church accepts cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the dead or the immortality of the human soul.

(vi) The Department of Public Health should be concerned towards those who do not have the financial means to buy a family grave. Has it ever occurred to the minister to offer financial assistance to the less well-off in this respect?

The time is ripe for the minister to take decisive action and to act purposefully and successfully. Now is the time for firm, persistent and resolute action. The leading rule for all politicians, as for every calling, is diligence - leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.