Safeguarding our groundwater

One of the most important resources of our islands is groundwater. My ministry has launched two initiatives in an attempt to safeguard this important resource. The first concerns the installation of borehole meters, the second is an action plan to reduce nitrates in groundwater.

Borehole meters are necessary to calculate the amount of groundwater extracted, the origins of such extraction and its use. We over-extract. Recent calculations point to a figure of 34 million cubic metres when the estimate for sustainable resource management is closer to 23 million cubic metres. The installation of meters will be phased, starting with boreholes for commercial use. I emphasise that the exercise is intended to ensure the resource's sustainability and not to disrupt the genuine toil of those who depend on this resource for their livelihood.

Where farmers are concerned, meters' installation will be subsidised fully from European funds. Following monitoring, other initiatives will ensue. The basic tenet is that farmers would be allowed to utilise groundwater where other resources are not available according to the size of their land and type of crops on their land.

We have also launched concrete measures regarding nitrates. A draft plan of action is being discussed with stakeholders. We have already met representatives of the agricultural sector and we will be meeting soon representatives of environmental groups.

The issue of groundwater should be above partisan politics. There is a necessity to move in the direction of action with the backing of all if we are to guarantee the sustainability of this resource - May 20.

Snapshots of early 20th century

I visited the exhibition of Edward Caruana Dingli (1876 - 1950) - Portraits, Views And Folkloristic Scenes - that Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti mounted at the Palace, in Valletta. This is yet another exceptional exhibition that brings to light the wealth of artistic heritage our islands possess. My unreserved praise for the work of the Fondazzjoni, particularly Maurice Degiorgio, for their efforts in organising this high-quality event where one can instinctively perceive these efforts in showcasing Caruana Dingli.

On display is a Maltese artist who depicted our country through his paint brush. The first part of the exhibition presents portraits of personalities who forged our history in the first part of the last century. Among the personalities Caruana Dingli painted are Sir Joseph Howard, Sir Ugo Mifsud, Lord Gerald Strickland, Sir Temi Zammit, Sir Luigi Preziosi, Dun Karm Psaila, Monsignor Michael Gonzi, King George V and King Edward the VIII.

Best known as society's painter, examples of which the exhibition is well endowed with, his works extend to the portraiture of the common man - street vendors, farmers, even beggars. His attention to detail is impressive. His characters from the past come to life effortlessly. It is almost with reluctance that one moves to the second part of the exhibition dedicated to an equally masterful collection of Maltese landscapes.

Caruana Dingli is known to have been the favourite student of Giuseppe Calì. It was Calì who inspired him. No wonder that one of the most beautiful works of Caruana Dingli is actually a portrait of Giuseppe Calì. It is clear that he depicts Calì with the respect and love of a pupil.

Notwithstanding the fact that Caruana Dingli was the most commissioned artist of the day, very often, as was the case for other artists, his clients delayed on payments and the artist ended up short of money. He would then pay his own bills with his paintings - dues well paid indeed!

The exhibition is open until June 6, exposing 250 works of art coming from different collections, both state and private, with some from overseas. I recommend not missing out on this wonderful experience - May 17.

Crowds flock to St Michael counterguard

Incredulous as it sounds, until just under a year ago, part of the bastions around Valletta, particularly the St Michael counterguard, were actually occupied by squatters happily breeding rabbits and dogs. One enters this counterguard through the ditch in Valletta. Through a concerted effort by the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs and the Land Department these people were evicted and the place was given a thorough cleaning.

The building of this counterguard started in 1640 with some alterations carried out during the British period. It consists of passageways, open spaces and spectacular viewpoints overlooking Marsamxett harbour. The passageways link up with three other counterguards all the way to the Upper Barakka.

I visited the place accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi and the media yesterday. I was well aware of the historical background of this architectural gem through Stephen Spiteri's book published last year but what a difference it is to experience its engineering features and aesthetic glory at first hand. I was truly mesmerised. The bastions are in relatively good shape having suffered no damage during World War II. The same sadly cannot be said of the Saint Rocco chapel where Mass used to be said for patients of the Lazzaretto Hospital on Manoel Island. It is in a dilapidated state.

Restoration works on this part of the bastions will start soon as part of the massive project for the islands' fortifications. We are truly privileged to possess such splendid architecture adorning our islands and this government is committed to giving a thorough facelift to the four sets of fortifications identified to ensure that what we inherited is passed on to future generations; too many years of inaction have taken their toll. We are fortunate in having cultivated the expertise and dedication of a number of professionals working within the Restoration Unit of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs who are committed to this endeavour.

I felt it would be a positive experience for the public to come and see for themselves what this gem offers and to gain an understanding of the restoration works planned. (On May 15 and 16, the St Michael counterguard was opened to the public and attracted 3,000 visitors) - May 13.

Shameful 2

The appalling behaviour of the opposition in Parliament must have taken many people by surprise. It has been a long time since I have been approached by so many people who are usually unconcerned with partisan politics voicing their distaste. After the violent scenes of last Thursday, yesterday we witnessed Labour's deceitful strategy aimed at putting spokes in the wheels of the government's committed agenda. We reached the ridiculous stage where the simple procedure of approving the minutes of the previous sitting stretched for more than seven hours.

Yes, we had to endure seven hours of MPs from the opposition side grasping at every opportunity to delay and disrupt the House from carrying on with its agenda, which is rarely of little consequence, but which yesterday carried significant import. The House was meant to discuss the approval of monies to be loaned to Greece by the Maltese government as part of the agreement reached by the European Union.

Everybody realises that the situation in Greece has an impact not only on Greece but on all European countries. Everyone knows that the financial crisis needs to be addressed without further delay in order to quell uncertainty but the opposition couldn't give two hoots about the economy as they carried on with their petty attitude and never stopped to weigh the consequences of delaying the work of the House. A vote on an issue which has a direct bearing on our economy and our jobs is secondary to their egoistic urge to throw tantrums - May 11.

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The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.