PL calls for public consultation on Valletta project
The Labour Party this evening called for public consultation on the City Gate and Opera House project, announced this evening.
The party in a statement said that the Prime Minister this afternoon spoke about the project on the phone with Joseph Muscat, who is in Madrid.
The Labour Party said it agreed on the need to rehabilitate the harbour area, including Valletta. However it appeared that the decision on the project had already been taken and architect Renzo Piano had been selected to present his ideas.
Rather than consultation, this was, therefore, a case of the Prime Minister simply informing the Leader of the Opposition on the decision that had been taken.
The government needed to specify whether it had allocated funds for this project since nothing about it was said in the budget, just a few weeks ago.
A project of this scale deserved consultation which would not be limited to politicians but would involve all of civil society.
At a time when the people were being asked to pay higher bills for water and electricity, among other rising costs, they deserved a better account of how public funds would be used, the PL said, quoting Dr Muscat.
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Mike Magri
Dec 3rd 2008, 13:24
Sur Martinelli,
Mela you forgot GonziPN`s election gimmick.."..Flimkien Kollox Possibbli.."..??? OR this had an unwritten continuation of... "..WEHIDNA AHJAR.."...!!!???!!!! Haaa Haaaa
Are you confirming that in a Democracy, REAL CONSULTATION DOES NOT COUNT....!!!!!????!!!!????
J Martinelli
Dec 1st 2008, 23:25
Here we go again! Another stalling tactic by Joseph?
We had sixty years of tentative starts only followed by complete stalling. The public and foreigners alike have been praying for the day which will see the rebuilding of the Opera House which, unfortunately will morph into the House of Parliament. However, given the size of the site, it would have been hardly economical to rebuild it solely as an opera and centre for the arts.
There should be a time limit on public consultation otherwise there will be the danger of this drive to come to a slow halt like previous half hearted attempts.
The size of the combined City Gate and Parliament Building projects will provide hundreds of jobs at a time when governments around the world are finding ways to spend the recession away. It is a bold move which should be embraced by all including the Opposition and various NGOs.
Mr. Piano is world renowned and he will certainly deliver a first class product.
For those who crying in their morning cereal, complaining that no prior consultation with the Opposition was undertaken, let me remind them that it is the government who makes decisions, not the Opposition.
lgalea
Dec 1st 2008, 22:31
Mario Mercieca
A modern project for an old city?
Give us back City Gate as it was built before it was raped with the FASCIST Gate that we have now.
What is being proposed now is only to alienate the people from the burden they have to bear because of the Gonzipn budget and take care of friends and friends of friends in the construction industry.
I would like to take the opportunity to invite all those who have the environment at heart to go and vote for Astrid Vella on the European Forum of Voluntary Work website at http://www.benevolat.eu/en/vote.php
Right side about nearly half way down there is a drop down box. Choose Astrid Vella and vote for her. She deserves it.
R.Calleja
Dec 1st 2008, 22:16
The Nationalist government has a track record of building marvellous buildings to enhance the beauty of these Islands. The University, the Airport, Mater Dei - just to name only a few places that can easily be described as monuments. This will be another ring in the chain of structural successes. Dr.Gonzi go on with this project and do not take heed of the many Jeremiahs who are experts in saying 'no' to everything.
Kevin Zammit
Dec 1st 2008, 21:47
First fix valletta then fix the gate!!! The city is crumbling and we are contemplating spending all this money on just one building?
Why get Renzo Piano when we have the design of how the main gate was meant to be? I just cannot comprehend this idiocy ... There cannot be a valletta without its fortifications and centuries old architecture so who is Renzo to say what it should look like now? The architects who designed the city as a whole surely must know better!
C Cassar
Dec 1st 2008, 21:34
The purpose behind these projects is obvious - to support the construction industry. Some big contractors must have called in their electoral chips. I just hope that after ruining Fort Chambray and building that awful block right outside Fort St Angelo, we don't end up with some modernist monstrosity for the City Gate.
monica muscat
Dec 1st 2008, 21:01
Prosit Dr. Gonzi and PN. Government. At least things have started moving. Please turn a deaf ear to further cries for consultation. The time is ripe. No more procrestination. We have had already 60 years of that!
Joseph Demanuele
Dec 1st 2008, 20:41
Its been 9 months less a week from your last election loss you should get over it by now. Obviously in 4 years time there would be an election since its close to 5 years but then again when shall we start a project? If its started the same year you say its because of election a year before the same, if its midterm you'll say that an early election is coming up. Get over it maybe someday when there's a real party better than PN to govern you will have your time to make this country better.
Manuel Mifsud
Dec 1st 2008, 20:40
This is indeed great news. I agree with the PL that a project of this scale deserves public consultation, but once sufficient time is given, the government is duty bound to evaluate the suggestions and choose the best. Then it should take the decisions which would benefit our country. This project should start as early as possible for two main reason: first: It would serve as an economic booster against the recession which would probably hit us within the next few months. Second: we do hope that this time round the Valletta project will take off as the area definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.
Mario Mercieca
Dec 1st 2008, 20:30
From where on earth do you get these ridiculous comments...Who knows if the MLPcame out with such a proposal....you would have said "min jaf kemm ha jaghmillna sabieh bieb il-belt joseph" and now that the government has done as it is meant to do by taking the bull by the horn you are trying to question everything since of course you are jealous for never being in a position to do anything in the last 25 years. Well done Dr Gonzi and make sure you give us a modern project which is suitable for the need of our country.
peter refalo
Dec 1st 2008, 20:19
Once again we have a proof how much this government believes in what he says - FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI .
It decides on his own and dictates on the whole country . Thanks Dr Gonzi for the importance you are giving to the capital city and you do not bother about us citizens .
And to say it all and funnily enough this project will be ready with in four years time ? God knows why the deadline is within four years time ? MAYBE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ELECTION .
Dr Gonzi grow up and realise that we have brains too !!!!
martin saliba
Dec 1st 2008, 19:53
Why don't those who voted for this goverment protest regarding its arrogance. There was no public discussion. The project was not even mentioned in the budget speech. Where is the money coming from? Shortly after the elections we were told not to expect the government to keep all its promises in view of the economic state in the world regarding the oil prices , then it announces projects out of the blues. There a lot of questions and many more answers!