Taxpayer removes Valletta window pane

I refer to the article (August 21) which reads as follows: “Members of the Civil Protection Department removed a window pane from a dilapidated wooden balcony that was literally crumbling in St Paul Street, Valletta, yesterday. Parts of the structure had been hanging dangerously and could only be removed using long ladders.”

Unfortunately there are many such buildings in Valletta, our capital city, and flagship of the nation.

Properties in Valletta are more expensive to maintain. CVA charge a fee in order to access most roads in Valletta and this applies also to workmen and their vehicles. In order to repair façades of said properties, one must erect a scaffolding. Valletta local council’s fee to erect a scaffolding is more than the average fee of other local councils; probably it is the highest fee in Malta.

These charges – and other difficulties – lead the taxpayer ultimately paying for the repairs such as those reported recently carried out by the members of the Civil Protection Department. Until then, locals and tourists will experience a dilapidating Valletta.

The Valletta local council must change its reasoning and approach. Moreover, as an incentive to owners of properties in Valletta, the Valletta local council should not charge any fees whatsoever for a period of time – say one year – in order to encourage owners to repair their façades.

Hopefully, common sense will prevail and, thereafter, only realistic fees (like other local councils) or none at all, will be charged. Following these measures, the council – and the people of Valletta and of Malta – will be then proud to see that the state of most buildings in Valletta reaches the standard expected of a capital city in an EU country.