Tuesday, 5th August 2008

Rubbish timing on the streets of Msida

Emmanuel Vella, Msida

University Street, Msida, and the surrounding area are in a terrible state.

A large number of foreigners living in the area have no respect towards us, local residents. No sooner has the garbage collector picked up the garbage bags and left, they start taking out garbage, which has to be left there until the next day at the mercy of stray cats and dogs. Not to mention Saturdays, when it has to stay there until Monday morning.

To my astonishment, nobody from the local council ever visits the area to discuss the problem with the residents, though I understand they will be soon doing home visits, since the elections for local government are fast approaching.

A word of praise and encouragement goes to the street cleaner who does the sweeping in the area. He does a meticulous job. Since he is a foreigner himself, I understand he is either a refugee or has humanitarian status. The only problem is that he is sent by the local council, or the contractor, to do the job early, sometimes before 7 a.m., and then when the garbage collectors arrive, they again leave the street in the same state it was in before. Why is not the street sweeping done after the garbage collection?

Something has to be done, and quickly, to remedy this situation. As a European country, we deserve a much better environment.

By the way, what happened to the green wardens? Do they still exist? The warden's head office is around the corner.

Next article • Hompesch Road needs some trees

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

E. Azzopardi (on 5/8/08)

Well, Mr Vella, you should come to certain parts of Sliema, the tourist mecca and see the rubbish which is taken out minutes after the collection. It is utterly disgusting. These are people who should really know better. Others do it from utter ignorance. No pride at all. And no, I do not believe that those who litter outside have their homes clean. Yes, the Councils try very hard. But where are the Green Wardens which the Minister had promised? Start catching these morons and inflict heavy fines which keep on increases with each catch. Hope is eternal!!!

Maurice Wildeman (on 5/8/08)

I lived in Malta for 5 years and have visited many times since. It is a second home to me. A lot has changed and the islands are as beautiful as ever. Building new roads, infrastructure and green round abouts are not enough. There needs to be a change in attitude to how we dispose of waste. I was amazed by the fact that people still throw their waste (anything from the McDonalds wrappings to chewing gum) on the streets without any fear of being penalized. What needs to happen is more waste bins, and these need to be emptied regularly. Take away the excuse for littering and issue hefty fines for doing so. Imagine what a clean Malta will look like.

Mark Spiteri (on 5/8/08)

This letter has hit the nail on the head. That is the situation in the Tal-Qroqq area. What makes things worse is that when one reports these things to the Msida Local Council, nothing is done.
I sent various emails to the LC , and never got a reply back. What a disgrace !

What is also worrying , is the increasing amount of rats running around the field at the bottom of this street !

Rebecca Sultana (on 5/8/08)

May I add to this - the Skips problem. There is one skip in particular situated further down University Street, in Edgar Bernard street close to the University back gate. This skip is always packed to bursting point with, mainly, commercial packaging and rubbish. Whenever we miss the garbage collector, my husband and I have to drive out of our area to find a skip that can accommodate our small garbage bag.

Hadrian Agius (on 5/8/08)

At Achille Ferris Street we have the same problem as well. And the filth is usually done by the 'very clean' Maltese. The same sweeper comes round about 7 about 3 times a week and after about 4 hours the street is in a mess again. What a pity!!! I think the Local Wardens should be given the authority to fine anyone caught throwing rubbish in the streets.

Robert Garmston (on 5/8/08)

I am sick and tired of local Maltese constantly blaming those non-Maltese ("foreigners") for all the litter problems. Respect is a word often bandied around. When the "locals" behave properly and respect their own country then maybe the "foreigners" spending lots of their "foreign" money will do the same. As for the writer's comments re "stray cats and dogs", well now THAT is down to the locals who have discarded them. Come on Malta ! Wake up to your own responsibilities....stop blaming everyone else. You are an independant country and have been for many years.......so get your own house in order. I love Malta and it's friendly people and visit many times a year. The government seems to be trying hard to beautify your country..........do your own bit and "Keep Malta Tidy"

I. M. Dingli (on 5/8/08)

These are not the only problems in Msida. Construction is a big headache. Tower cranes all over the place occupying resident parking spaces. Moreover when the big trucks come by they just close the roads and leave you in a kind of labyrinth since with the one ways and blocked streets, you will be lucky to get in or out of Msida / Gzira. These truck drivers have no respect for us residents, they just park their trucks where it is convenient for them, blocking garage entrances, occupying parking spaces and us residents are the ones who suffer. The local council does little about it and when i call for wardens to come and check the situation, hours go by and everything remains as is.

Rubbish timing on the streets of Msida

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