I read with interest Leo Brincat’s contribution to this paper entitled ‘Why is talk of South not on?’ (June 17). As Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, he argued that he could not understand “what could have whipped up such over-the-top hysteria” regarding the sustainable development and regeneration of the south. The minister winds up his opinion by saying he is committed to the south of Malta as he was brought up in this part of the island (although the obvious implication is that he no longer resides here).

I find the whole tone of his argument extremely patronising and completely out of line. It seems to me the outpour of opinion in the media in favour of the environment specifically touching on the Marsaxlokk tanker and the building of a university on ODZ land in Marsascala has not gone down well with the government.

The knee-jerk reaction of government ministers is to criticise previous administrations for not doing this and that in the south and how current proposals pale in comparison to the “damning developments” undertaken during Nationalist administrations.

Such a political line of thought is not only disrespectful to us living in this part of the island but will spell an environmental and economic suicide to an area already challenged on a number of fronts.

The Labour Party in government has had a full two years to deliver in the south. This is a part of the island which, in its majority, helped Labour return to government. The residents of the towns and villages there were promised that, in return for their vote of confidence both on a national and local level, their wishes would be respected and that, where the PN failed, Labour would be stepping in to turn things around.

I will not go into the list of major projects successfully completed by PN administrations in the south because I know full well that people out there are not backward looking. For this same reason, Brincat’s reflections on the Nationalist administration’s failures in this respect are not in the least encouraging to us southern residents.

Implementing manageable measures to improve the well-being of residents in the south may not necessarily benefit the government or its friends

It is not only unfortunate but downright shameful that Labour first squeezes votes out of the southern districts and then abdicates all responsibility towards ensuring a better quality of life and well-being for these people. In all honesty and away from the badgering of overenthusiastic One TV journalists, people residing in the south are bitterly disappointed with the government and its hollow pledges. They truly never imagined that a new government promising them a better quality of life would serve this in the form of a tanker in the middle of the Marsaxlokk bay and the building of a university campus on ODZ land in Marsascala.

For a moment, we were fooled into thinking that Labour in government would be our southern saviour and that the south would actually stand a chance of competing with the north when it comes to attracting tourists.

I invite the Environment Minister to take a ride to Marsaxlokk and visit the three beaches popular with people living in the south: Xrobb l-Għaġin, St Peter’s Pool and Delimara. The state of neglect of these beaches is appalling and certainly cannot be blamed on any previous government. As for the road leading to these beaches, words fail me to describe the craters and dust clouds. Another number one for an environmentally-sustainable Marsaxlokk.

Is this how we intend to attract tourists to the south? Does a beach embellishment require foreign investment? It most certainly does not and the responsibility falls squarely on the government and the cash-strapped Labour-led local councils.

One would have imagined that the Consultative Committee for the South, appointed by this government, would have had enough time by now to present simple proposals to embellish our surroundings and for measures to be implemented. It takes no rocket scientist to come up with a wish list of what the south needs, especially if local councils are roped in, but implementing manageable measures to improve the well-being of us residents may not necessarily benefit the government or its esteemed friends. Therefore, such proposals are waived in favour of indecent proposals that will serve us no good.

In his article, the minister laments the long-standing divide between the north and south brought on by the political class. I trust the same minister who is advocating political honesty is not trying to rewrite the history of this end of the harbour, which has seen its fortunes and misfortunes tossed about since Dom Mintoff’s days!

info@carolinegalea.com

Caroline Galea is a PN election candidate on the fourth district.