Tempers flare as inspectors act over illegal structures
Policemen had to intervene to cool tempers this morning when inspectors and workers from the Government Properties Division turned up near San Pawl tal-Qlejja Chapel on the outskirts of Mosta to demolish structures which they insisted, had been built illegally on public land.
The structures included concrete walls covered with rubble and a reservoir.
The operation was proceeding smoothly after the initial protests by the owners.
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john muscat
Dec 6th 2008, 17:36
Well said James Sultana. But it seems that this time they mean business. The real teast comes in dealing with the Shanty Town of Armier. Let's see.
Dennis Zammit
Dec 6th 2008, 17:25
I really admire Hon. Jason Azzopardi for his commitment to stop all the abuse by all types of squatters who occupy public land and public buildings illegally. Keep it up.
The biggest pity is that all previous administrations not only allowed all this to happen but also closed an eye on official Govt. authorities and corporations who connected them to the water supply, electricity grid and built roads to most illegally occupied buildings and lands. In fact, we heard from the news that the Gzira kiosk had to be disconnected first and the Bahar ic-Caghaq illegal caravans have a 500 mt long and 10 mt wide tarmaced road leading to it. This is shameful !!!
Now we all expect that these who are or have broke the law be fined or at least, pay for the costs involved because the country allow others to do the same.
Insomma, prosit Jason !!
James Sultana
Dec 6th 2008, 13:02
Maybe what the government should do is give the owners of these "illegal structures on public land" the vrey same option that the famous tycoon was given for his hotel in the Marfa area : rather than the authorities went there and demolished what he had built WITHOUT PERMIT ON PUBLIC LAND, he was given the BENIFIT of paying a relatively small fine and pay a ridiculous price per square meter for the public land he had illegaly built on. Of course, this land on which a third of the hotel is built was practicaly sold with a direct order to the illegal occupant with no tenders, etc .... but not all lawbreakers are equal !!!!
PM Camilleri
Dec 6th 2008, 09:19
A good job only when ALL illegal structures are removed otherwise not a good job at all!
stephen camilleri
Dec 6th 2008, 00:19
we want more,we want more,we want more........
Charles Micallef
Dec 5th 2008, 12:14
Dear Mr Minister Hon. Jason Azzopardi,
As it is quite clear, the long suffering public stands four square behind you and the actions that you are taking are long overdue and to be commended, BUT please make sure that all citizens are treated equally and justice is not only delivered to the small fry!
D Vella
Dec 5th 2008, 11:03
Good for the Government Property Division . . . about time these people got what's coming to them if they think they can just take over a piece of public land and do with it as they please. I only hope that appropriate fines will be served to offenders to set an example and a deterrent. Having said that, Government would be doing wonders for its credibility if similar appropriate action was taken against ALL offenders and that includes illegal boathouses and the infamous shanty towns in Gharmier, Mellieha, St. Thomas bay and all the other places!!!
maria borg
Dec 5th 2008, 09:59
Further to what Carmen Micallef stated I do hope that Dr Jason Azzopardi will include Gnejna Bay in his 'give back to the public what belongs to the public' campaign - Summer abodes have been built all around the bay into the surrounding land. Some structures have balconies over looking the sea (fantastic) and some also have chimneys out of the structures for better ventilation etc. All tis smacks of permanence and sheer cheek.
Gnejna Bay has already been spoiled by the fact that the Radisson Hotel sticks out
like a sore thumb over the north side of the bay, but do we have to also allow illegal structures as well in Gnejna?
The fact that illegal structures are builts is proof that the perpetrators have no respect to us fellow citizens if they take over what is there for the enjoyment of all. Why should we respect these people and allow them to enjoy what is not by right theirs.
I therefore encourage everyone to stand up and be counted so that the government realizes that the Maltese people are behind the fine job being performed and that it will only continue to receive its support.
Carmen Micallef
Dec 4th 2008, 19:37
We will only believe that Dr. jason Azzopardi really means business once he demolishes the ghettos built on Goverment land in Armier, mellieha and St. Thomas Bay.
It is evident that this show of force will not continue the uphill struggle as the going gets tougher
I mean dealing with restaurant and cafeterias is one thing but taking up arms against the fanatics that are capable of spending entire summers under the blistering sun in a makeshift house with poor amenities, is another.
I mean being weak with the strong and strong with the weak is typical of the Goverment as we know it . WE WILL ONLY BELIEVE DR. AZZOPARDI when he clears those eyesores in Melieha and Armier before the hotter season sets in.
WE ARE WAITING FOR SOME REAL ACTION not cosmetic surgery and we will admire you for ever when/if you do!!!
Victor Vella
Dec 4th 2008, 18:49
To all of us who are asking what about this and what about that, as long as the goverment acts in the same way with everyone, and so far it is what is happening then let's be patient, God took 6 days to create Earth.
Edwin Formosa
Dec 4th 2008, 16:21
Well done Jason. You have the political courage to actually do something never done before locally. Never mind "Ghax issa? Ghax mhux dak ? Lil dak ma rajtux? Whatever some try to say, it is obvious that you mean business.
Karen Zammit Manduca
Dec 4th 2008, 16:11
...and what about the boathouses (or huts) that are beneath the Valletta Bastions close to the Valletta/Sliema Ferry landing stage?
When a friend once pointed out this abuse to the relevant authorities, they replied, "Which ones? There's nothing there!"
J Aquilina
Dec 4th 2008, 15:01
What about the hot line that the minister has promised us where abuse of public land can be reported to be investigated?
What about the boat houses in Gnejna?
talk, talk, talk.
P.Schembri
Dec 4th 2008, 14:26
@J.Vella. Why not put a monument of Gonzi (for his undercover treaty before the 2008 March election). Would suit the place better. What do you think?
Joe Vella
Dec 4th 2008, 14:13
@ John Xuereb
I do believe that the Government want to keep the Boat houses at Armier and others around Malta as a Memorial to Dom Mintoff.
lgalea
Dec 4th 2008, 13:36
Ian Hulland
Reminds me of the song "Mhux jien, mhux jien, mhux jien mama".
Ian Hulland
Dec 4th 2008, 13:06
We in the Ramblers Association, have been lobbying, shouting, writing, e-mailing -- mostly to no effect -- to all the various Gov. departments / representatives/ ministers etc, for the production of a map showing public / private land / paths / etc. ALL the necessary data is there, historically.
What does appear to be missing is the " political courage" to actually DO something about it! However, this could be a start ?? perhaps these small "adjustments" may be the tip of the iceberg? Let us hope so.Any start is better than none at all.
The only thing we ever managed to succeed with in RAM, ( after several years hard effort) is that each department passes the responsibility to another one -- invariably.
I always used to wonder what the Maltese expression " far-far" meant, but now I know !
J.A. Agius
Dec 4th 2008, 12:29
It was after a note from a citizen informing of the abuse that PS Dr Azzopardi could take action. I do not name him because he might not like it; but he definitely merits our praise and gratitude for his action. If more people took this kind of active interest, much more could be achieved.
John Xuereb
Dec 4th 2008, 11:59
While it is commendable that something is finally being done on illegal structures built on public land why then do the boathouses in Armier remain untouched ??
Is it because that is to much of a hot potato politcally or is it because it's easier to target an individual rather then a group.
The law should be applied to all and if their illegal then bring them all down
MARIO TABONE-VASSALLO
Dec 4th 2008, 11:41
Malta has excellent archives of WWII aerial photos that show clearly what had been built by then and since then, all buildings should have been covered by permits. This does not solve the problem. It is the will that has to be tuned up. The Safi supermarket, the Armier developement and many others are proof enough of that. But why should not the small fry object to their 'illegalities' being removed when the big fry get away with murder
Manuel Mifsud
Dec 4th 2008, 10:57
Whilst praising Parl. Sec. Dr Jason Azzopardi for the good job, I cannot help but criticize his predecessors for having done little or nothing at all. Over the years certain people got used to doing what they liked particularly by illegally occupying public land. Now Dr. Azzopardi and the workers doing the job have some real hard work to accomplish. Keep it up!
J Oatmon
Dec 4th 2008, 10:42
Is there a land registry where the public can view maps showing public and private land?
If there is a registry it should place the map data on the internet, to allow citizens to see where there is illegal land use, and then they can report this to the authorities.
lgalea
Dec 4th 2008, 10:35
Good job.
Give PUBLIC property back to the PUBLIC.