Valletta plans implementing PN's electoral promise

Joseph E Briffa

Jun 29th 2009, 01:47

@L Galea again you betray your ignorance. When there is a change of administration it is customary for board members to resign. . If the powers- that- be are happy with the existing members and prefer to reinstate them, it's their prerogative. As for medications, several members of my family have had the occasion to make use of the pharmacist of their choice and they never had problems .As for subscription of loans we don't need foreign banks to subscribe: the Maltese have enough money and invariably over-subscribe when loans are floated; this shows that they have confidence in the government. Quite the opposite of what used to happen in Mintoff's time, when the Maltese used to withdraw their money from the government bank and keep it at home or ask a Labour friend to take it out of the country for a consideration of course.There will always be some families who live from hand to mouth because there is only one bread-winner doing a menial job due to either being unskilled, or semi-illiterate.. But Malta is a small country and there are always family members or friends who come to the rescue when state-aid is not adequate.

Galea. L

Jun 28th 2009, 22:36

c. camilleri, J Abela
Yes, decent infrastructure not more destruction of the cultural heritage.
How about, e.g. spending the money on the third world dirts tracks that are called roads in Malta?
How about giving our bays a make-over?
How about repairing our crumbling fortifications?
Isn't that spending on infrastructure camilleri/Abela?
Who's living in another galaxy Abela?

Joseph E Briffa
"How can any party in government trust members of a Board unless they belong to the same camp, otherwise they would stab government in the back."
Thank you for showing us what the boards did when Dr Sant left the PN supporters on boards. I hope that you will object when the next PL Government changes the Boards composition Briffa.

Galea. L

Jun 28th 2009, 22:25

Joe Vella
"...INTELLECTUAL and INFRASTUCTURE DEFECITS that the MLP/PL Governments of Mintoff and KNB left Malta in."
seems that you are one of them Vella.

Joseph E Briffa
"Loans are floated worldwide for capital projects especially local loans." Let's see how many international banks etc are going to subscribe to them Briffa.
Tax cuts for 3 years running? Are you joking? Free medicine? Tell it to those entitled to it who have to buy it from their pockets because it is never available.
Pharmacy of your choice in San Gwann? I know a person who is never given all the prescription and the pharmacist, a pn supporter, also wants to question the doctors prescription.
"One can go to a doctor of one's choice any time for a small fee (Eur20 for a visit to a GP and a bit more for a consultancy (eur50 or less)"
Maybe the money is nothing for you and if so good luck to you, but many people are not making ends meet so much so that they are entitled to receive free medicine which they are not even getting.

Joe Vella They were given work and a wage. Gonzi gave them unemployment.

Joe Vella

Jun 28th 2009, 20:10

@ Joseph Cassar PL Apologist

First and foremost no need to shout when trying to make a point. large caps translate into rudeness in chat rooms and forums like these

One can accuse the PN for having a Vision and perhaps sometimes overoptimistic in what does proposed. Perhaps, you and the messengers of Gloom and Doom have still to discover that times and circumstances change from time to time and t hings have to be put back in the short to medium time.

I would have expected that you would challenge me on my claim that subsequent MLP/PL Governments of Mntoff and KMB left Malta both Intellectually and infrastructural bankrupt.

In regards to the last Euro Election, I wouldn't be as joyous as you. Approximately 80,000 voters did not choose to vote and flock to Joseph Muscat and the PL. If these 80,000 have no trust in the Government they also said that they do not trust Joseph Muscat by their absence at the Polls.

A. Mizzi

Jun 28th 2009, 19:46

And what about our countryside? Where there any plans for the countryside's conservation in the P.N. electoral manifestos?

Why not start from Bahrija ? Now that would also be a historic and special moment for the country and the fast dwindling countryside and a moment of satisfaction for the people and future generations..

joseph cassar

Jun 28th 2009, 19:29

@joe vella=PN APOLOGIST.

TWAHHALX FIL-PL. DAWN IL-WEGHDI GHAMILTUWOM 5 SNIN ILU. IL-POPLU MA JRIDX JAF BIKOM AKTAR GHAX DHAQTU BIH. MIN MA JWETTAQX DAK LI JWIEGHED MHUX KREDIBBLI U DAK LI GRALKOM FIS-6 TA JUNJU. KOMPLU IDHQU BIN-NIES!!! IN-NIES ITTIKOM RISPOSTA GHAX IL-MALTIN SERJETA IRIDU HU MHUX SKUZI.

Ethelbert Schembri

Jun 28th 2009, 19:22

and smart city bahhhhhhhhh

Joe Vella

Jun 28th 2009, 19:16

@ joseph Cassar

Perhaps many of the projects/initiatives you have listed are not a reality have something to do with the INTELLECTUAL and INFRASTUCTURE DEFECITS that the MLP/PL Governments of Mintoff and KNB left Malta in.

Joseph E Briffa

Jun 28th 2009, 19:07

@L Galea...This is a capital project not a recurrent one. Loans are floated worldwide for capital projects especially local loans. What's not on is government borrowing to meet recurrent expenditure. I would suggest you do some research and learn how things work. I am sorry but your remarks are absolutely ludicrous. @ Joseph Cassar.... R u living on this planet?.. The have been tax cuts for 3 years running. Medicine is free for everyone. How can any party in government trust members of a Board unless they belong to the same camp, otherwise they would stab government in the back. We in San Gwann have had the pharmacy of our choice for over a year now. Funds are not limitless so one has to prioritise, Ta Qali and Carnival village do not have priority over Valletta ...One can go to a doctor of one's choice any time for a small fee (Eur20 for a visit to a GP and a bit more for a consultancy (eur50 or less)

Joe Vella

Jun 28th 2009, 19:06

I have a solution to get around Galea L concerns. The Government should immediately institute back the Korpi tax-Xoghol, of course, without the right to strike to work on this project. I am sure this will satisfy Galea L, his mentor, KMB and the CNI.

One more thing, overtime should be paid at a the normal rate as to comply with the workers condition at Super ONE, and thus please Joseph Muscat, Jason Micallef and the whole defenders of workers' rights at Mile High..

Galea. L

Jun 28th 2009, 18:57

J Abela
You can rest assured that I would not.

joseph cassar

Jun 28th 2009, 18:50

This promise was promised 25 years ago but still was not made reality like many other promises.
1 Free Dr of your choice
2 Applications for Government Boards
3 Pharmacy of your choice around Malta
4 Cirkewwa terminal
5 tax breakes
6 Carnival Village
7 Ta Qali craft center

Always promising but after the elections defict again. B'MIN TRIDU TIDHKU. IL-POPLU MHUX TAZ-ZUFJETT SUR BORG OLIVIER

TONY FORMOSA

Jun 28th 2009, 18:23

* THE MAGNIFICENT PROJECT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME A HIGHLY REWARDING TOURIST ATTRACTION.

TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA

J Degiorgio

Jun 28th 2009, 18:12

The projects would encourage more tourists to visit the country and find in the capital a unique centre of arts and culture which would sustain Valletta’s commercial community.

Whilst I look forward to seeing this project through, it seems all these investments are targeting tourists, centres of art and culture, commercial community.. they will invite more people in Valletta however little is mention of the Valletta RESIDENTS. We are inviting visitors sending inhouse people out of Valletta because their needs are not met and accessibility is greatly restricted... With the new proposed pedestrianised streets residents' accessibility will be greatly restricted and our streets will be crowded with tables and chairs, where smog pollution will be replaced by noise pollution as well.
Was this part of the electoral promise?????
By the way I live in Valletta but I am not so lucky just to walk to work like some people can??

J Abela

Jun 28th 2009, 18:01

@ Galea L

I'm sure that if a Labour government would have presented the same exact project, you would have been all out in favour. As with attracting tourists, there are tourists who actually travel the world to view Piano's projects! You just have to wait and see. Also, I think you're living in another galaxy because spending money on infrastructural projects and projects like this one, in a recession, is the thing to do. In fact all governments around the world are increasing their spending to fight the recession! But anyway I fully understand that you, being a Labour supporter, don't have enough brain capacity to comprehend all this.

Galea. L

Jun 28th 2009, 17:56

Joseph E Briffa
Malta has the financial resources to do it.
Would you care to read http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090628/local/tough-budget-decisions-ahead

c. camilleri

Jun 28th 2009, 17:46

@j galea At the back of my mind I had a feeling that this project will not please you.
According to economists the best way to stimulate the economy is to invest in infrastructure as a future investment. But you you always know best. Your opposition to anything Govt does has now become pathetic.

Rocco Cauchi

Jun 28th 2009, 17:43

It is about time MEPA redeems its integrity on many issues and it can do so now - by saying a big NO to the project or to parts of it. Is government so confident it will be all or partly approved? When similar avant-garde projects are presented it is often said that they do not blend with the environment and are consequently thrown out, many a time lock, stock and barrel. So is this project this time in consonance?
We shall wait and see.
In any case it is about time someone applies to have a big statue of blindfolded Lady Justitia holding a balance somewhere (the courts? Floriana next to Dante?)
It would be worth floating the project!

c. camilleri

Jun 28th 2009, 17:37

Now the next step is to start the project Soon. Having this eyesore for more than 50 yrs is more than enough.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jun 28th 2009, 17:24

Whilst it was positive to note Joseph Muscat attempting not to politicise this matter, it is sad that the PN has not taken cue.

Joseph E Briffa

Jun 28th 2009, 17:23

@ Effie Carbonaro..you are accusing PN of burying its head in the sand. I am sorry but by the look of things yours has been there for ages. I suggest you try to extricate yourself while you are still in time, and breathe fresh air afresh. Further depletion of oxygen will lead to rotting and decomposition

effie carbonaro

Jun 28th 2009, 17:05

@francesca abela
it is because of people like you that these country cannot go further.you tkink with your heart not your mind.but people like you dont worry me.when you look at a lot of stones and you call it a project then i even pity malta because i will be presuming that these country is building its future on people like you.

Joseph E Briffa

Jun 28th 2009, 17:01

@ Joanne Micallef...we musn't be a wet blanket..we must move forward. Malta has the financial resources to do it. The Maltese have over Eur5 billion sitting in the two main banks. Government can float loans and they will be taken up by people wanting to invest in government stocks giving some 4% return. Besides revamping Valletta the project will be a great tourist attraction; merely mentioning the name Renzo Piano who has buildings in London, Berlin, Paris is enough to attract the better type of tourist to our shores. The project will also give a great boost to the economy and will provide jobs in the construction industry. I would also suggest that the authorities also start the works on the rehabilitation of St Elmo asap.

Galea. L

Jun 28th 2009, 16:59

Francesca Abela
It is madness to go for the project when there is a world recession and our country's financial situation is in dire straits.
This is apart from the proposed Piano project which is a pure blasphemy when considered with the rest of Valletta as had been correctly anticipated. Having a modern world renowned architect does not mean that his designs are suitable for our Capital City.
If you think that by making this project we will attract more tourists you must be living in another galaxy.
As for waiting for another four years to vote PL don't bet on it Francesca.

Francesca Abela

Jun 28th 2009, 16:18

Joanne Micallef - I am in favour that government goes ahed with the project. No doubt it will generate more work and encourage more tourists to visit Malta. Besides, we desperately need to re-vamp Valletta and the expense would be worth it. We cannot wait until the recession over - there will also be something else going on.
Effie Carbonaro - do not worry too much. You can always vote PL in four years' time.

Joanne Micallef

Jun 28th 2009, 15:12

Though I am in favour of revamping our capital city, the Goverment is also obliged to verify first that our present economic situation can handle such an expense.

effie carbonaro

Jun 28th 2009, 14:59

why dont you all go and bury your head in a sand pit.what electoratr programme?this is the electoral programme.qoute by tonio fenech"Tough budget decisions ahead" when a few months ago someone said that there is no recession in malta.a message for all who voted pn.sorry gonzipn