It’s the time to take stock

This time of year allows us to look back on what we have accomplished and look forward to what we hope to achieve during the coming year.

... we must limit fishing for species that are threatened...- George Pullicino

A look back at embellishment projects alone that my ministry has completed is encouraging. We have also worked hard to ensure that such quality prevails within the numerous restoration projects that we have delivered.

These include the restoration of the chapel of St Catherine in Valletta, Pinto’s clock in the Grandmaster’s Palace, the saluting battery in Upper Barrakka, and the bastions in Valletta, Mdina, Vittoriosa and Ċittadella.

During the past year, many embellishment projects were completed, among which the seafront and main square in Marsaxlokk, Bisazza Street in Sliema, the Kitchen Garden in San Anton Palace and the Ecology Centre and Park in Xrobb l-Għaġin.

There are a number of other projects that are scheduled to be completed within the coming year, many of which are already underway. These include the restoration works in Salini, the three farmhouses in Buskett, the restoration of the façades of the Grandmaster’s Palace and the Auberge de Castille and the Interactive Centre on Fortifications that will be opened at Biagio Steps, Valletta.

We will also see the opening of the petting farm at the Ta’ Qali National Park, the Waterpark in Buġibba, the embellishment of Spinola Square in St Julians, the building of the civic centre and public garden in Swieqi and the continuation of embellishment works in the commercial heart of Sliema, including The Ferries.

During 2012, we will continue working on the Family Park in Marsascala in an area which, in the 1970s, served as a landfill. This beautiful park will have the size of 20 football pitches.

We are determined to continue raising the quality of life of the Maltese people by offering quality projects across the country. In the midst of the worst international economic crisis since the war, it was not easy for the government to continue investing heavily and transforming our country.

We pledge to continue doing so – December 30.

Spinola Square

Over the past few days, I announced the embellishment project for Spinola Square in St Julians. This project will give this 2,400-square metre square, which is synonymous with the village of St Julians, a much needed makeover. This space is currently dominated by a roundabout and traffic, yet, by next year, it will be transformed into an organised and comfortable space for all residents and those who visit St Julians, including many foreigners.

Over the past few months, we have been working behind the scenes, where plans and designs were completed and the application was submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in August 2011. Once the permit is issued, works on the project may begin and aims to be completed within eight months from commencement.

This project will see the existing roundabout removed and the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus moved from its current location on the roundabout to a spot where it can be better appreciated. Nowadays, it is hardly noticed because one’s attention is diverted by the traffic that drives round it.

The old and disused pond from which horses used to drink will also become a feature of the project. Two ground fountains will be installed together with a number of benches, new lighting and street furniture.

A central part of this project will be the installation of underground culverts for the collection of rainwater and the shifting of many infrastructural services.

This project is estimated to cost about €1.3 million.

This is by no means the first embellishment project in St Julians and is certainly not the last. It will complement other works carried out in the fishermen’s seafront. We are also considering works that will best integrate a private project that is being planned for this area, including a car park that will provide about 400 spaces – December 26.

Protest before proposal?

I must admit that I have not entirely understood why a number of fishermen organised protests over the past few days. I discussed a number of issues with the two fishing cooperatives during a meeting last week, yet, in the absence of concrete proposals on their part I requested that they come back with proposals so that we would be in a position to take discussions forward. Instead of drafting and sending proposals, the cooperatives chose to send a letter with incorrect information to their members and encouraged them to attend a public protest.

At least the cooperatives brought a list of proposals with them during the protest. We will now evaluate these proposals and give our reaction in January. We remain open to discussion, so much so that, yesterday afternoon, another previously scheduled meeting was held between government officials and the fishing cooperatives regarding tuna fishing.

The government has always been consistent about the sustainability of fishing. We have always insisted at an international level that fishing should continue when it is scientifically proved that such practices do not threaten species. On the other hand, we must be responsible and recognise that we must limit fishing for species that are threatened, safeguarding both the species in question as well as the economic activity of fishermen.

Since accession to the EU in 2004, Malta has provided the sector with €15 million, including €11 million in European funds and €4 million from national funds. This is aside from the assistance provided directly to the sector under the state aid scheme and other schemes preceding Malta’s accession to the EU.

We have recently implemented reforms in the administration of the Fisheries Department so that it may work more closely with the sector. I hope that this protest did not intend to weaken the leadership of this department and that we may sit around the same table and responsibly work towards the benefit of this sector – December 22.

Two different legacies

In the past few hours, we heard about the deaths of Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong Il. They were two leaders who embraced very different political ideas and, for different reasons, left a mark on the world.

Havel will be remembered as the person who led the Czechoslovak people against communist rule, culminating in the 1989 Velvet Revolution. He had long participated in the fight for freedom and was, in fact, considered a dissident and imprisoned by the communist leadership. In 1977, he founded Charter 77, a group that would discuss the Czechoslovak government’s duty to observe human rights following its signing of the 1975 Helsinki Charter.

After achieving freedom in 1989, Havel served as President and led his country through a transition towards democracy. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which both went on to become EU member states with Malta in 2004.

Kim’s leadership sits in sharp contrast with that of Havel. He led North Korea for 17 years after his father’s death. Malta’s socialist government had signed a secret treaty with this regime during the 1980s.

Kim followed in his father’s footsteps and further isolated his country while strengthening his armed forces as the majority of his population went hungry.

Although there is much scepticism, one cannot but hope that his death will serve as the start of a new chapter in the leadership of this country.

The passing of these two leaders reminds us of the impact of political leadership far beyond one’s lifetime. Today, the Czech Republic looks back on Havel’s life in gratitude and confidence as a democracy. North Korea, on the other hand, is far worse off than it was 17 years ago and is also faced by international sanctions due to its nuclear policies – December 19.

http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com

The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.