City Gate viewing time over: What now?

So the Nationalist government has given us a chance and has even been encouraging us citizens of Malta to view at the Museum of Archaeology Renzo Piano's plans for our dear capital Valletta. Its insistence to do so can be seen in the way it extended viewing time of the same display up till the end of October. And what was the people's response?

Since no visitors' book accompanied the exhibition, one cannot really say, but I'm sure thousands took the opportunity because they genuinely love and want the best for Valletta. The unfortunate thing is that, due to this inexplicable lack of professionalism, we don't have the people's comments as a yardstick by which to measure the public's opinion. Or was this lack intentional because the whole project is a fait accompli? Indeed, I really hope not, because the deluge of letters referring to the subject and carried by this paper clearly show that the majority are united against Mr Piano's project. So many more thousands are of the same opinion, but of course they find it rather out of their way to put pen to paper and air their views in the paper. And of course, there are other newspapers in circulation. This is why it was imperative to have a visitors' book. It seems the Prime Minister's wish is to go ahead with Mr Piano's plans, if possible in the next three years, in time before the general election. If this were to happen, I honestly think it will pave the way for a Labour Party landslide victory. The implementation of the project would be an act of arrogance against democracy, a sure sign of abuse of power. I truly hope the Nationalists do their homework with diligence and listen to what the people have to say on the matter.

Having waited all these years I know that so many are at the end of their tether and would like to see a monumental construction rising out of the ruins of the old opera house. But, is it wise to press ahead with what is being proposed when so many are openly opposing it? Is it prudent to do so when the country is experiencing a bad patch? To do so when there are so many other priorities to see to (to mention a few: restoration of old forts, resurfacing of so many major and secondary roads, landscaping, an overdue massive clean-up of the countryside, investing in energy-saving alternatives, cutting-cost exercises to ease the national deficit) is surely irresponsible and suicidal. I'm not going to reiterate what so many others have already said, but suffice it to say that:

a. A theatre without a roof would be ideal only in summer, and then if fireworks aren't let off every weekend. Or should I say every day?

b. St Elmo and the Auberge de Baviere are better alternatives where Parliament can be sited. I have already expressed my view about St Elmo's advantages in The Times (April 20).

c. Freedom Square should be left an open space and landscaped with benches, a handful of trees and a monumental fountain; a place where shoppers, visitors and sightseers can relax.

d. The city of Valletta deserves a city gate and not a city gap.

Having said all this, my sincerest wish is that Lawrence Gonzi has enough nerve and responsibility to heed what the public and the NGOs have to tell him. Such an act wouldn't be the quality of a weak personality; on the contrary, it would be synonymous with a mature and democratic mind. And the people will remember him for it.