DLH was never part of Valletta environment protest, NGOs say

Angelo Xerri

Mar 11th 2010, 20:59

The Destruction of the Environment, the lack of Pollution Prevention by this Government is beyond words and this is what this protest on saturday in Valletta is all about. The doors are always kept open for the Developers on ODZ's. Places like Hondoq Ir-Rummien, Ramla Bay, Ta- Cenc, Dwejra, and others, plus those that are already ruined. Trucks that service the quarries, circling the village of Qala operating in the narrowest of roads, were a car and a truck cant' get by each other, making residents sick with diesel fumes, dust, noise, damaging peoples properties going by Qala Primary and Kinder Schools. Some people died of cancer,when reported to the Health and Safety is like talking to a wall. A disaster in the making at Qala Quarries all rubble walls are all bulldozed and buried along with other garbage these trucks are carrying. According to Qala council these Quarries are supposed to give money every year for road damages, but never happened unless the council takes them to court. Last year the storm damage at Hondoq Ir-Rummien was left for months unprotected before it was repaired and after the NGO's many complaints. ONE PROTEST IS NOT ENOUGH I SAY.

Caroline Said

Mar 11th 2010, 01:51

@lesley-I couldnt agree with you more. what people tend to forget is that a government is employed by the taxpayer, not vice-versa. These same taxpayers would scream bloody murder if they had delegated a broker to manage their finances and find that much of their life savings have been embezzled or lost in bad investments. But they say nothing when its the government squandering their money. These limp champions of "status quo" may argue, a country gets the government it deserves-but its more a case of this country's childern are getting what they DONT deserve.

lesley kreupl

Mar 10th 2010, 20:15

part 2 The Mgarr Hotel has been reduced to a pile of rubbish in a quarry – what an appalling waste of stone and other resources – the Andar Hotel has been turned into a white monster sitting inelegantly on the cliff – an eyesore for all the tourists passing by. The Dwejra disaster is happily rusting into the Inland Sea! The complex in Fort Chambray continues to be an expensive, uncompleted ghost town with a magnificent view. I could go on and on...... I make a plea to the residents of this archipelago to join in the rally, protest, whatever you want to call it, to try and prevent further atrocities and illegalities happening in and to your islands.

lesley kreupl

Mar 10th 2010, 20:12

The people of Malta and Gozo are very lucky indeed to have such a dedicated group of NGO's who try to protect and preserve the environment, the history and the integrity of the country. As I do not live there, I cannot list the atrocities that have been averted in Malta, except to say that among other things, St. John's Co-Cathedral might well have disappeared into a hole. However in Gozo, I know that if it hadn't been for these dedicated, hard working people, Hondoq ir- Rummien bay and the Tal Marga valley would have been completely destroyed by the proposed villas, hotel and self-catering complex and marina, Ramla Bay would have been polluted with the effluent and garbage of numerous villas and pools not to mention the scenic aspect, Ta'Cenc would also be covered in villas and apartments and possibly a golf course. Unfortunately work on the cemetery in Nadur has continued, thus destroying the springs and water supply to the farmers below, despite ongoing legal objections; the proposed high rise complexes in Marsalforn also seem to be continuing without thought or planning. Continued..

James A. Tyrrell

Mar 10th 2010, 20:01

The only thing which is sadly flawed here is newly appointed executive president of Din l-Art Ħelwa, Petra Bianchi’s statement. Personally I fail to see how this group can call themselves an NGO when they obviously show support at times like this for the Government. They were never meant to be part of the rally so they will hardly be missed.

Henry J Bonett

Mar 10th 2010, 18:56

.@DCalleja. Of course, you are absolutely off course! In Malta it is a well known fact that lack of protest does not ergo mean agreement. It is, unfortunately, a national trait that one incites others to protest but stays comfortably back. If it had not been for those who had the courage to stand up to be counted over the years, the whole world would never have moved. It takes worse than a 'polarised brain', in fact it is an attitude that fails one's country and its people, that keeps one back from protesting, for whatever reason, when national laws are completely disdained by those same who who have established them.

Jimmy Magro

Mar 10th 2010, 18:52

With all these protests, speeches, articles and other soft approaches, nobody, including MP's have come forward to decalre that the only solution to eradicate illegal development is to adopt my proposal that any illehal development in an ODZ will mean the confiscation of the property. Also that any person, from the PM downwards, that is involved in any approval of a development permit in an ODZ, will have to face criminal proceedings. Also, all MEPA employees have to file an annual declaration of assets with the Ombudsman so that the Ombudsman can track their increase in assets when compared to their declared income. Confiscation of property shall not be subject to any judicial review. Any entity making an application in an ODZ shall face criminal proceedings with a sentence having a minimum of ten years imprisonment. Environment is owned by the generations of the future and sociey cannot continue to tolerate local and foreign sharks making an abuse, one after the other. This is what these organisations should be demanding if they want to have some form of credibility with the people who wants to defend their environment.

D. Spiteri

Mar 10th 2010, 18:06

@ D. Calleja. I respectfully point out that to factor out the environment from economic, social and cultural matters, is to ignore the environment's role in the country's tourism industry, and in people's general well-being.

D. Spiteri

Mar 10th 2010, 18:00

(2 of 2) This time round the issue is somewhat different. The people are split in several factions on the Dr Gonzi's plan for the entrance to Valletta. Some are for Piano, some are for Barrie, others want a gate, others want a proper theatre, others do not want a parliament there, etc. But this is missing the point of the rally. The point is about the ‘legality’ of how the project has been pushed. Astrid Vella quotes from the Structure Plan to justify the NGOs’ stand. I cannot see how the DLH’s president can dismiss Vella’s argument as "spurious" or “flawed”. I have to say, and I say this with regret, that while I respect Dr Bianchi’s right to approve of Piano's plan I cannot but find that what is flawed in this case is her explanation for DLH's non-participation. The Piano plans themselves, and the wish of all Maltese to see the entrance to Valletta radically overhauled, are not the real issues here.

D. Spiteri

Mar 10th 2010, 17:59

(1 of 2) I do not see why some commentators are trading accusations with each other or with one NGO or the other. I think that the respectful statements made by the NGOs on DLH’s non-adherence on the issue of the rally should be appreciated. It is clear that the protesting NGOs never expected DLH to take part in the rally. They all knew what DLH's stand on the Valletta project was and could not expect to change it. The same difference of opinion was public on the St John's project. DLH was for it, most of the others against. But no swords were drawn; just reasoned opinions.

Paul Buttigieg

Mar 10th 2010, 17:40

I will certainly be part of the rally .If it wasn`t for the backing of the NGO`s that are organizing this rallyTal Marga Valley permit partley ODZ in Qala would have been granted and the farmers water supply would have been reduced .Thanks

Joseph Grech

Mar 10th 2010, 17:33

@Mr. Anthony Slater - Your comment is certainly very amusing! I wonder which Front you personally belong to - or might it be that you just pass hilarious remarks but do not really care about what's going on around you? Environmentally speaking of course!

=D.Calleja

Mar 10th 2010, 17:11

Mark my words, this organised event will be a big flop - not more then a couple of hundred persons will turn up for the so-termed NATIONAL rally. If the people who attend due to political motive had to be ignored, there wouldn't be more than 50.

It should once and for all show to all and sundry that the nation wants our government to focus on more important issues. Environment cannot always play the primadonna; it has to play second fiddle once in a while!! If I may put forward a slice of personal philosophy, most of those who vociferously advocate the "protection" of the environment are either involved due to personal issues or have a polarised brain that will not accept that anything else can to be taken into account where environmental issues are concerned.

The environment can't always be given more weighting than economic, social and cultural issues when assessing the aspects of a development . . . get off your high horse and realise that if we left decisions to the environmental lobby nothing would ever get done; They would gladly see us back in 1950's!!

Mario Azzopardi

Mar 10th 2010, 16:04

Apart from the disagreement between the different NGOs, please let us see the long proposed fantastic project for our capital city to become a reality and try to make concrete suggestions rather than opposing.

Henry J Bonett

Mar 10th 2010, 16:00

Considering that DLH has never been part of the organisation of next Saturday's environment protest, that the issues leading to this rally are so wide ranging, and that most of these issues have always been supported by DLH, it is remarkable, as well as intriguing, to put it mildly, that the new DLH president should come out with such a misleading, suspect statement so close to the event.

N.Calleja

Mar 10th 2010, 15:53

These NGO's look like a bunch of naughty boys, arguing between themselves to gain some popularity. Every now and then they raise a protest to keep themselves active and at the same time pleasing their handful of members! They do everyting for exposure. Just read next Sunday's papers...they're all in the front line!

A. Slater

Mar 10th 2010, 15:02

First politicians, then the unions and now it's the NGOs turn to argue with each other These groups are all more or less opposing the same things, but fall into the familiar pattern of intense competition. 'The People's Front of Judea' vs 'The Judean People's Front' vs 'The Judean Popular People's Front' vs 'The Popular Front of Judea' Splitters !!

Joe Grech

Mar 10th 2010, 14:41

Following this revelation by the other N.G.O.s Dr. Bianchi, new DLH president, should now explain in writing WHY she made the declaration which appeared in today's Times of Malta. Was it simply made to try to discredit the other N.G.O.s people are now rightfully wondering? Dr. Bianchi should also inform readers whether the decision that D.L.H. will not be participating in the rally on Saturday was taken by the Committee of D.L.H. If she does not do this I believe Dr. Bianchi should immediately resign from her important post.