In my article ‘We need a new Vilhena’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, May 25), I emphasised the need to project a new vision for Floriana and included a proposal to convert the area known as Beltissebħ into a residential complex.

The feedback received was very encouraging, and I was urged to intensify the campaign in favour of a solution to the population and housing problems in Floriana.

The government is about to launch a public consultation process in preparation for the Budget. This consultation exercise should serve as an opportunity to the authorities to prove that Floriana is being cared for and action is being taken to endorse the urgent plea of residents to save it from becoming a ghost town.

The government should come up with a master plan for Floriana and engage the services of suitable experts in a public-private partnership.

As the newly elected president of the Floriana Senior Citizens, I have lost no opportunity to reiterate the need of tackling the housing and ageing population problems in Floriana.

As a result, a number of meetings were held recently at the Floriana Senior Citizens’ premises with MPs from the first district including Claudio Grech, Mario de Marco and Parliamentary Secretary Josè Herrera.

Another meeting was held with Minister Michael Farrugia, as well as with President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Other meetings are expected to be held in the coming weeks.

The residents of Floriana now expect our MPs and government authorities to support the initiatives proposed.