Paul Miruzzi, director General, Government Property Division, Valletta
Soul of Xagħra village now a safer place
I refer to the letter by Stephen Peters entitled Soul of Xagħra Village Ripped Apart (December 1). May I point out that the enforcement action in the square of Xagħra took place after a number of reports by residents about the unlawful placing of furniture beyond the delineated boundaries.
Readers should know that an elderly woman was run over by a car some days before the enforcement took place because she could not use the pavement due to the illegal obstructions on the pavement.
Encroachment permits which are issued by the Land Department in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority do not allow the owners of shops or restaurants to have any fixed structures. For this reason, this particular enforcement action was carried out in full coordination with the MTA and with the collaboration of Mepa officials, as these structures lacked a Mepa permit, as well as the permission from Land Department. The authorities are in duty bound to observe both the law and the encroachment permits just as the encroachees are in duty bound to observe these. It does not pay for the latter to take the law into their own hands, thereby abusing of public property and jeopardising life and limb.
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Gaynor Turnbull
Dec 6th 2008, 09:14
The risk to life and limb in Xaghra is actually crossing the road between the many parked cars, lack of road markings, crossings and bad drivers. You could always walk on the pavements the bar and restaurant owners never prevented this. The placement of tables, chairs and plants were placed in car parking areas infront of thier premises.As for shade kindly provided by these owners when did the use of air space become an issue, As for those with complaints it concerns me that these so called complaints are derived from envy . let us not forget that it is these busnesses that pay the most in taxes that provide an education system,healthcare system and the street lighing that illuminates your doorstop whilst you gossip and enjoy the downfall of others that work hard and might just have a little more than you.
As for the legalities I can not comment I can only speak from the heart and eyes that the Lord gave me to see .That those who work hard for a living to provide these establishments to locals and tourist alike are punished. We should be commending them for putting their souls into the village they love.
Joe Tabone-Adami
Dec 5th 2008, 16:14
Keep it up, Mr Miruzzi! There's plenty more to do around these Islands. The Sliema clean-up, for example, is not completed yet. Further surprise inspections, especially in residential streets in the Tigne area, will reveal more infringements and abuses to the annoyance of neighbours and the general public.