More space for everyone

This week I announced that we are about to begin building a civic centre and embellishing the Karin Grech Garden in San Ġwann. The boċċi club that is currently found within this garden will be relocated elsewhere in San Ġwann, thus extending the garden and play area by around 900 square metres. This garden will include a landscaped area, a fountain and a much larger play area. The monument built in memory of Karin Grech has been incorporated into the design and has in fact been given a more prominent place in the garden.

... the ILO states that austerity measures recently adopted by many governments risk increasing the recession cycle and postponing economic growth...- George Pullicino

The difference in level on site will be utilised to build a civic centre below part of the garden. This centre will, among other things, house the local council offices as well as a hall for community use. Thus residents may be better served, while at the same time gaining more recreational space. The current local council premises are far from the centre and do not meet the council’s needs. The council evaluated a number of proposed sites and came to the conclusion that this was the most central site that could be utilised.

Works are expected to start as soon as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority approves the plans, and will be completed within eight months of commencement of works. Over the coming days we will be organising an information meeting for residents. In the meantime, one may learn more about the project by accessing our virtual tour: www.mrra.gov.mt/page.aspx?id=113 – May 4.

Għajn Żnuber tower

The Għajn Żnuber tower in the Majjistral National Park in Mellieħa today is unrecognisable when compared to what it looked like a year ago. Yesterday I visited the restoration works being carried out. Ever since the park opened in 2007, it has undergone extensive regeneration. Ian Castaldi Paris, the chairman of the Majjistral Park management board, who accompanied me during this visit, explained that the tower will now be used as a visitors’ centre.

This tower doesn’t appear to have been built during the time of the Knights. Indications are that it was built towards the end of the 19th century, when documents show that 12 people used to live in the area known as Għajn Żnuber. It is built resembling the style of a typical Maltese farmhouse, and apparently belonged to the Ciantar family. In fact, some still refer to it as Torri Ciantar. This tower was also used as a watch tower during World War II.

Over the years it was so damaged that it almost crumbled. Stone from Mellieħa was used in the restoration so that it would blend in with the existing stone. The ceilings had to be reinforced, and the concrete staircase was demolished and replaced with a stone staircase. Only a few works remain, including the installation of external apertures. I would like to congratulate architect Jean Frendo, from the Restoration Unit within my ministry, who supervised the restoration works. This restoration is the latest among some 50 projects that have been carried out over the past four years. These projects have created employment opportunities, showcased our skilled workers and will also allow future generations to enjoy our heritage – May 2.

Reflections on Workers’ Day

On Workers’ Day, my thoughts go out to those who are unemployed, whose feelings of despair increase with every day. I understand all too well having witnessed members of my family pass through this experience years ago. According to the Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate in our country is 6.6 per cent. My colleagues and I continue to aim to create an economic climate that doesn’t only guarantee employment, but also generates new opportunities. This is not easy in an international economy experiencing its worst crisis since the Great Depression. Yet the results so far are satisfying. We created 20,000 new jobs in the past four years, including more jobs for women.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) published a report yesterday citing extremely worrying global unemployment statistics. With a 10 per cent unemployment figure, Italy is currently experiencing the highest unemployment rates in its history, where 2.1 million people are looking for work. The situation is all the more worrying for youths. One out of every three Italian youths is unemployed. The situation in Spain is far worse, where unemployment has reached 24 per cent, that is, 5.6 million people unemployed. One out of every two Spanish youths is unemployed!

The ILO highlights the alarming situation among those referred to as the NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training. The ILO emphasises the importance of investing in retraining those who are unemployed. In this respect, Malta has already taken positive steps, whereby we have also promoted training for persons who are employed yet receiving a minimum wage.

In its report, the ILO states that austerity measures recently adopted by many governments risk increasing the recession cycle and postponing economic growth and financial stability due to the reduction of private consumption. This is due to the fact that salaries are increasing at a slower pace than the rate of inflation in many countries. The priority, according to the ILO, must be to find a sustainable balance between financial stability and job growth. This naturally remains the greatest challenge – May 1.

Midd idejk fil-biedja

Yesterday I was able to witness the success of this scheme that was initiated last year. Just over 50 people coming from various sectors and professions decided to try their hand at farming. For many, this was a first. After a number of training sessions by Antoine Vella, they embarked on this experience with great enthusiasm.

We allotted 50 metre square patches at Għammieri to each participant, as well as a supply of water, which they used to create a horticultural orchestra including fruit, vegetables and flowers. One participant, an engineer, managed to grow 32 different types of vegetables in one plot! Those present this morning explained that as a result of this initiative, they found a new means of recreation while also learning to better appreciate the work of our farmers.

We are planning on identifying and allocating more land across Malta to such initiatives. In this way, more families may be given the opportunity to organically grow such agricultural products without the use of pesticides – April 29

The thirst for oil

Last Monday I was invited to a discussion on “climate change and renewable energies” that was organised by Nature Trust and the American Embassy. During my intervention, I stressed the importance that the American government continues to invest and incentivise research on clean energy technologies. I believe this has a strong positive impact on the international market, in the face of conventional energy technologies such as oil and gas.

However, over the past years the US has intensified its oil drilling activities even in sensitive areas such as Alaska. Oil production in the US has greatly increased, so much so that it has reached the levels of production in Libya.

According to the Financial Times, the US will reduce its oil imports by a third within the next eight years. Over the past four years, it has already reduced its oil imports from 60 per cent to 46 per cent. In this way, it is reducing its dependence on imported oil, particularly from the Middle East and Gulf States. Yet the US thirst for oil is not diminishing.

This increase in oil production in the US itself will make it all the more difficult for the Administration to implement a carbon tax on polluting energies, when a substantial part of profits will go to American companies rather than other countries.

During this event I was pleased to meet the keynote speaker, Peter Schubert, director of the Richard Lugar Centre for Renewable Energy, Indiana University. Dr Schubert emphasised the important role of the scientific community in making its voice heard on technologies, such as incinerators that convert waste to clean energy, thus appeasing any related fears or concerns. It would have been refreshing to hear such arguments earlier, before crusades were launched against the Sant’Antnin Waste Treatment plant and other projects! – April 26.

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The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.