In 1996, I was the first Nationalist Party candidate to set up a website for the general election. In a comment I had given to In-Nazzjon at the time, I said that “information technology is providing an opportunity for faster communication”.
The Government was never against solar farms- George Pullicino
The internet then was not yet used by the masses as it is today but it had already become a rapid means of communication. Today, it has become an effective, real time method to communicate and keep up to speed with the world around us.
When I began writing my blog in 2007, the idea was to utilise this tool to express my ideas. Today, we are living in a digital age, where almost everyone owns a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Political parties have also recognised the need to utilise such means of communication through the use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and so on. We also saw this during the recent US Presidential elections where the two candidates and their campaign teams would send out no fewer than four e-mails a day as part of their electoral campaign.
While the PN began using such tools late, it has made leaps and bounds in a short period of time and is today doing so successfully, not just by sending out its own messages but also responding to questions and comments posed by the electorate.
These tools also put pressure on us. After a day of work and home visits, I need to sit down in front of the computer to respond to the numerous messages I receive, both on Facebook and via e-mail. I also do my best to keep my blog and my website www.georgepullicino.pn updated.
In a few days I will be launching a completely new website, one that is more user friendly and interactive.
I do my best to respond as quickly as possible to those who communicate with me. I appreciate encouraging comments as well as constructive criticism. Sometimes, I receive comments from people who pass snide remarks about my size rather than engage in constructive discussion. They should know that I am the first to joke about my volume. Like some other prominent figures, they seem to be more concerned with external packaging than the political content.
These tools aren’t everything. The best contact is direct and face to face. Yet, we would be naïve not to realise that we are living in a country where there are over 134,000 broadband subscriptions – up by 6.3 per cent since 2011. The penetration rate of mobile phones increased to 130.2 per cent – a jump of 10.2 per cent since last year. According to Malta Enterprise statistics, in 2011 there were 1,625 ICT companies – a jump of 65.5 per cent compared to 2006.
Our society has completely transformed and is almost unrecognisable – November 17.
Solar farms
The Opposition has a habit of building arguments based on false premises. The latest example was a press release issued by Leo Brincat, stating that the Government was initially against solar farms and has now u-turned its position.
The Government was never against solar farms. However, because we are realistic, we always accepted that Malta’s size and density limited the possibilities that are available to other countries that have the opportunity to install solar farms on a much larger scale due to the land at their disposal.
I had the opportunity to visit a large solar farm close to Seville in Spain, where land that is 10 times the size of Valletta is required to produce energy for 70,000 households, that is half the number of households in Malta.
The plant in Seville includes two 40-floor towers that utilise concentrated solar thermal power through mirrors that focus the sun’s rays on a solar receiver that produces energy through a steam turbine.
Needless to say, I was impressed visiting a site such as this but where could we realistically build one like it? This does not mean that we cannot have smaller-scale solar farms. We are entirely in favour of this, as long as they are not in sensitive ecological or aesthetic zones.
Though we understand our limitations, our actions speak louder than words. Photovoltaic panels are to be placed on 100,000 square metres of roofs of public buildings. We provided assistance to over 6,000 families to install photovoltaic panels on their roofs. We supported 270 factories or business owners with €16 million to invest in alternative energy systems. Work is underway to install PV panels on 6,000 square metres of land as part of the rehabilitation of the Qortin closed landfill in Gozo. We introduced feed-in-tariffs for both families and businesses.
Brincat said that this Government had a change of heart regarding solar farms because the wind energy plan fell through. Another lie.
The Government is carrying out further studies regarding this project. Does Brincat agree that such studies need to be carried out or does he assume that the Government should ignore environmental studies and go ahead and install them?
To be critical on the issue of clean energy, Brincat should provide a clear response to the following three questions: 1. Is he in favour of other plants, such as Sant’Antnin, that generate clean energy from waste? 2. Does he agree that waste should be treated to create energy through technologies already available in European countries, such as thermal treatment plants? 3. Does he agree with his leader’s fear mongering, such as that in Baħrija in 2009, when he claimed that wind turbines on land would damage the water table?
The Opposition has consistently sought to put spokes in the wheels of government plans and projects.
Responsibility requires a different attitude – November 16.
Restoring the Ċittadella
Together with the Minister for Gozo, I have just visited the structural works being carried out on the Ċittadella, the unique fortified city on a hill. I was impressed by the work that is taking place, comprising engineering interventions, particularly on the rock on which the fortifications are built.
Because of its geological characteristics, this rock contains various cracks that may lead to sections falling off and are, therefore, a threat to the stability of the structure and the fortifications that rest on it. This has already happened, a few years ago, where part of the rocks gave way during a storm.
After several studies were carried out, a consolidation system was designed for the restoration of the fortifications. This technique involves the securing of frail rock through over 230 steel nails and anchors whose length varies from six to 24 metres. A protective net will also be installed on the weakest parts. I particularly admired the specialised staff, nicknamed “spidermen” by their colleagues, who climb down the rocks to install the steel bars.
The damage found during preparations for works were particular. The type of stone used in the building of the Ċittadella, the way it was built, together with the effect of the elements, led to the stone deteriorating in a way that is different to the type of deterioration we have seen on other fortifications in Malta. The restoration works include the cleaning and consolidation of the stone, changing of flagstones that were deteriorated and replastering, among other things.
These works amount to an investment of over €6 million, 85 per cent of which is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. In the coming days, my ministry, together with the Ministry for Gozo, will be organising an open weekend so that the Gozitans and Maltese can see the works for themselves and be able to better understand both the historical context as well as the interventions that are taking place to protect this priceless heritage – November 15.
Creativity and enthusiasm
Creativity and Enthusiasm is the slogan I have chosen for my electoral campaign. These are two adjectives that capture the work that I have done as well as the work that I aspire to do. Above all, they are two qualities that I admire within our society, particularly among younger generations that have benefitted from a better education system and greater opportunities.
In a world that is all the more competitive, we need to exploit our enthusiasm and creativity to gain an edge and excel.
My creativity has been epitomized by the projects that I delivered on behalf of the Government in recent years. I delivered new ideas that were realized by detailed quality projects both within urban areas and also in the countryside.
We provided original spaces for our families, such as the Adventure Park in Ta’ Qali, the Water Park in Buġibba and the park that will soon be completed in Marsascala. I also contributed to the development of new proposals, plans and policies that generated wealth within the community.
This work was carried out with enthusiasm. If I get involved in something, I do so with passion and determination. In all the positions that I was entrusted with, I always sought the common good.
I might come across as aggressive at times but this is my determination to convince others on matters that I believe will benefit the community as a whole.
It is this enthusiasm that has led me to offer my services once again in the upcoming general election. Enthusiasm that also comes from the fact that I want to continue to loyally serve the party proven to have the best vision for the country and its people.
If I am once again entrusted by my constituents to serve as their representative in Parliament, I will continue to place creativity and enthusiasm at the heart of my work to create more wealth for you, your children, and our country – November 12.
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
George Pullicino is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.