Opposition’s true colours

If nothing else, the Opposition’s no-confidence motion served to once again confirm its paucity and thirst for power. During a 75-minute speech, the Leader of the Opposition did nothing but refer to a list of so-called “deficiencies” that he believes this government has delivered, many of which are based on unfounded allegations. As the Prime Minister rightly stated, Dr Muscat mentions criticisms that have already been rebutted or addressed, but he typically continues to repeat them as though they are facts. In reality, he made a false move. He rushed to trip up the government, yet fell over instead.

This government still has much to do, if it is allowed to get on with it- George Pullicino

This is a Leader of the Opposition who despite claiming a lack of confidence in the government, continues to fail to put forward policy proposals or an alternative work plan to win over the public’s trust. He did the same during the Labour Party’s general conference. We have a story teller. We have heard more anecdotes about the conversations he had as a child with his mother, father or grandparents, instead of how he plans to improve quality of life and generate wealth. The Leader of the Opposition is only interested in becoming Prime Minister, and has given no insight into what will come next.

What a stark comparison to the speech delivered by the Prime Minister. One that was carefully considered and sober. As the Prime Minister explained, it was the Leader of the Opposition that tried to stall the government’s work and mandate to govern for a five-year period. This is a government that, despite an economic crisis and the upheavals that have taken place within our region, has continued to invest in an improved quality of life.

This is a government that has continued to take responsible decisions, even if they were unpopular. It is thanks to these decisions that it was in a position to safeguard jobs and invest in education, the protection of the environment and projects that continue to improve not only our quality of life but, more importantly, that of future generations – January 27.

Better access to Valletta

Valletta is a living city and to keep it breathing, we must facilitate and increase access to it. Yesterday I announced that, after examining a proposal submitted by architectural firm AP, my Ministry will be submitting an application to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for the reopening of a tunnel within the bastions. This will serve as a pedestrianised passageway leading to South Street, making life simpler for those who will be utilising the parking area in the Valletta ditch, particularly St Andrew’s tenaille. We are working on maximising parking in this zone, so as to make up for the loss of parking spaces within the rest of the ditch, which will be lost to the garden that has been designed by Renzo Piano.

We are proposing the installation of two “travellators” to carry pedestrians across the 75 metre long tunnel. In this way, the Knights’ defence constructions will now provide improved public access to our capital city. We are also hoping that artists will be able to use the tunnel as an exhibition space. For this purpose, the application submitted to Mepa will include the embellishment of this area, restoration of the battery that was unearthed during the restoration of the bastions, as well as a new parking area.

The opposition is claiming that projects are being announced due to a “looming election”. I would like to remind readers that in Valletta alone, the government has invested in around 40 restoration and embellishment projects, including the restoration of the bastions that is being made possible by an investment of €36 million, co-financed by the European Union. These certainly were not dreamt up in the past couple of days! – January 25.

Another park for Maltese families

This week I visited the Mellieħa family park, where I was impressed by the progress made in the works that are underway. This park, which will serve as a recreational space with breathtaking views, will also boast a number of sports facilities, such as an athletics track, a cycling track and a multi-purpose court on which a number of sports may be practised, including basketball, volleyball and tennis.

During my visit with Mellieħa mayor Robert Cutajar, I was pleased to see that the project has been integrated with the surrounding environment, so much so that the park was designed around a number of pre-existing carob trees. Moreover, rubble walls were retained or restored and the walls of the facilities that were built, such as dressing rooms, were tiled with old stone, so as to retain the character of the surroundings. This project is the result of a collaboration between the Mellieħa local council and the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, as a result of an investment of €800,000 and under the skilful supervision of Stephen Farrugia, the local council’s architect, and Works Department foreman Geoffrey Buttigieg.

Yesterday the media, including the online media, reported my visit. Naturally, there was no shortage of comments submitted. I am always baffled by some of these remarks. One individual, who signed as Albert Fenech, wrote “goodness me, what a sudden flurry of activity throughout Malta and Gozo. Now, why is it all suddenly coming into place within the last few days?” This project has been underway since 2010, with a small group of workers diligently working on nine tumoli of land. Such comments are orchestrated to give the false impression that this government only began working and delivering now, encouraging people to forget the many projects that have tirelessly been delivered across the country. Works are still underway, as planned. This government still has much to do, if it is allowed to get on with it – January 20.

€56 million flood relief project

While in Msida yesterday, I gave a detailed presentation to the media on a national flood relief project that is due to begin now that Mepa approved the fourth component of this project last December. This will include a series of underground tunnels through which rainwater may be channelled and collected. This project also complements the government’s continuous work on water storage.

The objective is to reduce problems related to flooding, together with its negative repercussions for both residents and all those who frequent impacted zones in localities such as Birkirkara, Msida, Balzan, Gżira, Marsascala, Żabbar, Żebbuġ, Qormi and Marsa. It is estimated that this project will therefore service and benefit approximately 200,000 citizens.

The total costs involved amount to over €56 million, whereby EU funds will be utilised to cover 85 per cent of the cost. The biggest works to be carried out will involve those between Naxxar and Ta’ Xbiex, which will alone cost over €33 million. Here, an 11km-long tunnel will carry water that would otherwise flood Lija, Balzan, Birkirkara and Msida. This tunnel will be connected to another carrying water from the Kappara – San Ġwann area, that would otherwise flood Gżira. The water from these tunnels will collect and be emitted in Ta’ Xbiex.

As a result of this flood relief project, the amount of rainwater collected will increase threefold, whereby water passing through these tunnels will be pumped into reservoirs that are pre-existing or will be built. In fact, the project has the potential to collect and recycle up to 700,000m³ of rain water – January 19.

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The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.