Nestor Laiviera
Crackdown on City Gate kiosks
That's it for the day: One of the kiosk owners packs up after the crackdown by the police. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Shop and kiosk owners at City Gate, Valletta who had signs or goods outside their premises were ordered to remove them by the police yesterday.
Armed with an inch-tape and note pad, police officers measured advertising signs, wares and goods' stands. The owners were warned that items extending beyond 40cm from the premises were illegal and that they faced legal action if these were not removed.
Kiosk owners were particularly hard-hit, having to remove a large quantity of goods on display from stands and racks attached to the external walls of the kiosks.
One owner simply packed up his wares and left and another was warned about two drinks refrigerators which the police said did not form part of the kiosk, and, therefore, were illegal.
Kiosk owner Joseph Galea recounted how, about a month ago, owners were notified that they were in contravention of the law by having goods and stands spilling onto the pavement. Despite having sent letters through his lawyer, one to the police superintendent in charge of the area and another to the Police Commissioner, nothing changed Mr Galea said. Earlier this week, he said, a meeting was held between six kiosk owners and Police Superintendent Sandra Mamo when the owners were told they had to remove any item extending beyond the kiosk.
Mr Galea's legal counsel, Martin Fenech, said: "This is a flagrant abuse of the law when it is clear that the kiosk owners can keep things to within half a metre from their kiosk".
"The superintendent refused to budge," he said, adding that when he showed her what the law said in this case (Legal Notice 1 of 2006, pg B 92, Second Schedule), she didn't even want to read it.
"The schedule is clear," he said. Any establishment is entitled to the 50cm area, licensed or unlicensed.
They have no right to do this, Dr Fenech argued, adding that "they are misinterpreting the law and when I tried explaining what the law is, they said they had orders from above."
"The police cannot invent laws and are obliged to observe them, not go against them," Dr Fenech.
A spokesman for the Lands Department confirmed that the crackdown was "a clean-up activity".
"In tandem with everything else we have been doing recently, we are ensuring that public property remains public."
Dr Fenech said he will be filing a judicial protest holding the Police Commissioner responsible for financial damages resulting from the "abusive and illegal action".
Another kiosk owner, Ivan Azzopardi, said "My kiosk is different from the others. I sell souvenirs, so I can't sell from within my kiosk. Others can proceed as normal but I cannot".
Answers to questions put to the police communications office were not forthcoming by the time of writing.
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14 Comments
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Charles Camenzuli
Oct 2nd 2008, 15:07
FINALLY. Until yesterday was a nightmare having to go around boxes and other items just to catch a bus or cross over between lanes. I've been hammering the authorities for years to see that something had to be done on the matter. Well done again Jason Azzopardi & Co.
Next step now is that taxi drivers will abide to the rule that the place is only for 2 Taxis and not 6 as happens every day.
Well done.
ChC
Wilfred L Camilleri
Oct 2nd 2008, 14:56
Nothing but a complete overhaul of the city entrance, the bus terminus, and Freedom Square will do. Removing illegal signs and goods is just scratching the surface when it comes to what needs to be done to restore the entrance to its former glory. A concrete plan with hard target dates for the bus terminus, the city gate, Freedom square and the old Opera House is long overdue and should be a priority for Valletta.
James De Giorgio
Oct 2nd 2008, 14:37
Whenever I take visitors and friends from abroad to Valletta, I try to go past city gate whilst engaging them in deep conversation to avoid having them observing the shameful state the entrance to our capital is in.
It's one of the shabbiest places in Malta, top three I would say.
adrian sammut
Oct 2nd 2008, 13:55
I would remove the kiosks themselves not what they put on the pavements. At present they do not really give a great introduction to a world heritage city.
vincent a galea
Oct 2nd 2008, 12:56
Everything should be cleared away from this place. The entrance to Valletta should be restored to a dignified site fit for 'THE CITY BUILT BY GENTLEMEN FOR GENTLEMEN' !! And let's have PORTA REALE rebuilt, leading to the OPERA HOUSE ...
Joe Cordina
Oct 2nd 2008, 12:29
I would like to point out to Dr Fenech that his client has taken up more than the half metre he is arguing about. In fact as everyone can see this particular kiosk had taken at least two metres where he displays bread and other food items which are not even covered and thus susceptible to dust and exaust dfrom the taxies which are invariably parked very close to his kiosk. Yes it is about time for all these illegalities to be looked at and action taken. However I hope that this would not be a one time thing as is usally the practice. It seems that someone wakes up from his dreams and issues orders only to be forgotted a few weeks later
George Mifsud
Oct 2nd 2008, 11:44
"Poplu ingovernabli" That's the title for the current anarchy in the country - no self discipline. The culture has to change otherwise you are going to live in the past and there will no change.
C Cassar
Oct 2nd 2008, 11:30
The Police are saying 40cm, the kiosk owners are saying half a metre ... are they arguing over 10cm? In any case some of the kiosks used to set out displays well beyond that.
Charles Micallef
Oct 2nd 2008, 10:16
Clearing what has mushroomed into this "mini open third world market" in the main entrance of 'our capital city' with overhanging wares on display'(well away from the actual kiosk ) and white taxis occupying the main pedestrian area is something that Valletta's entrance is yearning for!
Taxi Stand can better re-located in an area inside the City Gate where they is more space and as they will look less obtrusive!
The area is crying out for some decent pot plants on both sides of the entrance and re-locate the kiosks on to nearby site, will certainly enhance the City Gate.
Well done Hon. Jason Azzopardi, and please make it known to us the public if members of your own party are giving you grieve in the execution of your duties! We will put them on a strict diet........
Patrick de Bromhead
Oct 2nd 2008, 09:19
Whilst I can understand the frustration of the kiosk owners, anything to improve the mess that has become the city gate area is long overdue and unfortunately, the kiosks form a large part of that mess.
A.Camilleri
Oct 2nd 2008, 09:13
True there are laws which need to be abided with and no one should break them, but everyone needs to earn something to cover today's high cost of living, we should consider that. I'd rather prefer kiosks which cater for anyone in the street, rather than illegal boat houses which are no profit but only cater for one's personal recreation.
Charles Sammut
Oct 2nd 2008, 09:05
The entrance to our capital city is like a Culcutta bazaar.
Or should I say a Mogadishu bazaar.
l Galea
Oct 2nd 2008, 08:54
Are they not squatters who have taken over PUBLIC land including those who use the structures originally intended, I believe as ticket booths?
Pierre Agius
Oct 2nd 2008, 08:52
Hats off to the authorities! For a long time City Gate has been a filthy dump and complete anarchy. It is time to reclame it!