On the dot

Part of Fort Cambridge, in Sliema, is still being used as a hotel. A part of it was dug up about two months ago and, yet, no works or repairs have been carried out. Drainage is leaking out into the road and the stench, especially in the evening, is unbearable. Mosquitoes, flies and other insects compound the nuisance. Moreover, noise and dust permeate the general area owing to the works in progress.

Final Frontier

The news that Malta is seriously considering joining the European Space Agency has been warmly welcomed by the country. Developing space policy and initiatives would mean that improving the state of the roads, keeping the place prim and proper, solving the Mepa debacle and putting public transport on track, to mention just a few of the pending issues, would then be chicken feed!

Nelson's Eye

Sir Luigi Preziosi Street and Sir Luigi Preziosi Square, Floriana, both government properties and residential areas, are still being used as regular parking places for heavy vehicles, a distribution point for foreign merchandise, a dumping site for the dismantling of cars, a haven for mosquitoes flying from the various water culverts full of paper material and rotten leaves and a place where rats can come out to play when the area cats are away. Is it possible nobody in (local or central) authority is aware of this?

Some Hope

Just a month before the past general election, five months ago, the left-hand pavement, coming down St Francis Street from Granaries Square, Floriana, less than 100 metres in length and one metre wide, is still being repaved. If this amount of time or more is needed to upgrade the majority of the shabby pavements in the suburb, Floriana residents need to wait for the fifth millennium to come along. One can notice at least six to eight different kinds of tiles on the existing pavements, according to the tastes of the various mayors.

Dog Gone

Because of the heat, many people are opting to sleep with balcony doors and windows open. Meanwhile, it would seem that the owners of some pets, notably dogs, are so used to their pets' barking and howling, that they are not bothered. However, the rest of the neighbours find constant interruptions to sleep very annoying; and, to keep the peace, they are hesitant to point this out to the people concerned.

Lights Out

Some of the lights on the ground in Republic Street, Valletta, need replacing. One would think that this project is being put on hold because there is a wave of renovation and refurbishing going on and so their time will come. However, this is not the point at all.

Paving the Way

Another area in Valletta this column has focused on for a long time is the stretch of pavement in St Christopher Street, on the right-hand side going down, between St Ursula Street and East Street. Since residents' cars are parked on the left-hand side, people cannot use the pavement on that side. The pavement is narrow and broken and people prefer to use the street.

Honourable Order

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should intervene and stop the projected works at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta. The person/s who came up with this idea is/are not deign to be called Maltese. Shame on them/him/her!

Elusive Refund

Many people subscribed to the government's offer, in the first months of this year, and registered for a 16 per cent subsidy on the purchase of a computer. They have not yet received the promised refund. Enquiries being made elicit a stock reply to the effect that many requests are still pending and it will take some time before all refunds are made. It would be interesting to know the number of refunds that have actually been made and how many more remain outstanding.

Fire Power

What type of police licence covers the setting off of petards between 1.15 a.m. and 1.45.a.m? This is what happened on July 13, presumably by whoever was responsible for fireworks during the feast at Kerċem.

Noisy Bridge

Rubber lagging between the joists of the Qormi bypass has been missing for quite some time now. It has probably been worn away by friction as the metal expands and contracts. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that traffic makes a bone-jarring dim when using this thoroughfare. No doubt, damage is being wrought to the vehicles, too.

Frontiers Frontlines

Frontex patrols appear powerless to stop the near-constant influx of whole groups of groups of illegal immigrants. Although hospitality may be boundless, our resources are not. One wonders whether there are any plans for talks to be held with the Ambassadors or Consuls of the countries from which these fateful trips appear to be coming.

Foul Smell

Someone in the general area of Mediterranean Street, Valletta, occasionally decides to sweep up the horse droppings left by the karozzini animals. Yet, it is then dumped into the skip in front of the bastions. Since many people use this skip for their domestic garbage, the chances are that the lid does not close properly, owing to the amount of rubbish present. This means there is a constant swarm of huge flies going in and out of the skip and people having a drink at one of the bars in the vicinity are constantly aware of the smell.

Long Drive

The courts were correct to remand in custody, at least for the duration of the transport strike, drivers charged over a number of incidents. Let us hope they will adopt the same tough line - though not necessarily remanding them in custody - when/if the powers-that-be bring to book all transport operators who constantly flout the law, whether that be allowing vehicles to emit obnoxious/toxic fumes, driving dangerously, leaving passengers stranded, overcharging, giving out incorrect change...