Why is it that we take so much for granted and only appreciate the beauty around us when we see it photographed? This is surely a sentiment elicited by the billboards lining our streets depicting beautiful scenes of our country. The message – Love your country, keep it clean – is appropriately conveyed by mesmerising images, including some 360° photographs.
...the responsibility to protect the environment is a collective one- George Pullicino
I would like to congratulate the fact that this campaign was the initiative of a private company and backed by the input of a good number of private companies, ministries and government entities. This in itself also conveys an important message: the responsibility to protect the environment is a collective one.
This campaign depicts several embellishment works that have been carried out, including new projects, restoration works on national heritage sites and public spaces for families to enjoy.
Over a period of three months, it is expected that there will be some 90 billboards in a campaign that will certainly effectively drive home the message. Our country is beautiful and we must continue to treasure it so that our children will also be able to say: “Our beautiful islands, our future” – September 8.
Consolidating our environment policy
The draft National Environment Policy that was just launched for public consultation reaffirms three important aspects that I would like to reflect upon.
Firstly, the environment is constantly in need. The government committed a third of €800 million to environmental infrastructure through the EU financial programme for 2007-2013. The investment planned during the previous Administration is bearing fruit. The solid waste treatment plant in Marsascala, sewage treatment facilities, restoration works, investment in breeding farms are all measures for an improved environment. Despite this, the government’s environment policy is never at a standstill.
Secondly, despite the challenges we have overcome to deliver several projects, there remain a number of sensitive ones. I hope that, following the results achieved so far, the Maltese public knows that this government can be trusted to prioritise the common good when it comes to allocating spaces for environmental investment. We must be less reluctant to allocate spaces for new facilities, such as wind turbine systems or other waste management facilities, so as to reach our clean energy targets.
Finally, this document collects all the environmental initiatives across different ministries into one consolidated strategy. For example, regarding water, this plan emphasises that we must continue to improve production efficiency from the reverse osmosis plants, that there must be greater control over extraction from the water table without disrupting agriculture production and that we must invest so that water produced from sewage treatment is put to better use for industry and agriculture.
My ministry is working hand in hand with the Water Services Corporation and operators, installing meters at the 3,000 registered boreholes so that they may be monitored. Moreover, discussions are underway to evaluate the necessary investment so that water from sewage treatment can be produced.
This Administration expects a mature reaction so that this vision may reflect the people’s environmental ambitions. Ambitions built on national interest and not only partisan interest – September 7.
What about ethics?
Soon after Joseph Muscat became leader of the Labour Party, he set up a media ethics committee, promising that, under his leadership, Labour journalists would report stories ethically and correctly.
While Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici was in hospital receiving medical care, Labour’s One News reported that the Prime Minister would be reshuffling his Cabinet and removing Dr Mifsud Bonnici. One News continued to allege that “medical reasons” would be cited for his removal.
The PL media has obscenely stooped to the lowest levels by fabricating such a story when they were aware that Dr Mifsud Bonnici had been in hospital for three weeks. A few days ago, the deputy leader of the PL, Toni Abela, wished a quick recovery to Dr Mifsud Bonnici. They certainly cannot claim that they were not aware that he was unwell as they did when they insisted that Eddie Fenech Adami should come personally to Parliament to discuss a motion when his doctor had instructed him to stay home.
The PL’s logo may have changed but its methods remain the same. If Dr Muscat would like to be believed then he himself should report the journalist in question to the Ethics Commission. If he doesn’t do so, we will be forced to conclude that Dr Muscat is as much an accomplice as the person who wrote the story – September 4.
Labour’s violation
A few days ago I visited the restoration works taking place on the façade of the community centre in Siġġiewi, which building has historic relevance that dates back to 1696. During the years when the PL was given this public building by a Labour government in the 1970s, a number of alterations were carried out both on the façade and internally.
Among other things, the traditional wooden balcony was removed and replaced by a larger concrete balcony, causing much damage across the façade of the building. Furthermore, the façade of the ground floor was plastered with cement. These unsightly interventions are almost minor compared to those that took place inside this historic building. As I entered, I was shocked by the disaster before me.
A number of internal works were carried out that do not complement the original appearance of the building, including the construction of several rooms within the internal courtyard. This also caused damage to a large stone niche that includes an old well. It was covered by ceramic tile and a concrete ceiling. This part of the building was used as a bar within the Siġġiewi PL club.
Seeing is believing!
The niche and well are now being restored. The rooms built in the internal courtyard are cautiously being removed and the courtyard will be covered with a glass and iron structure to protect the building’s historic value.
This building will now be returned to the public to serve as a community centre, also providing Siġġiewi’s first day-care centre. The restoration works are being carried out by the Directorate for Restoration within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs – September 2.
The loss of a true gentleman
If I were asked to draw up a list of 10 gentlemen, it would certainly include Edwin Meli. I have known Mr Meli since I began frequenting the Sliema waterpolo pitch at a young age. Unfortunately, he passed away last night at the age of 86. The last time I spoke to him was last Sunday when I visited him in hospital, where he was surrounded by his loving family. Despite being very weak, he greeted me warmly as usual.
Mr Meli was not only the president but almost a father to all those who went to the pitch. He was a person of discipline and solemnity but always with a smile and a positive message. He gave importance to everyone, no matter the social background. He was a gentleman with everyone, including adversaries. Correctness was a way of life for him, in business, sports and his beloved family. For some time, he became involved in politics with the Nationalist Party but preferred a commitment to sports.
He dedicated much of his life to sports and Sliema. He served the Sliema Aquatic Sports Club as president for 36 years until 1992. Mr Meli was one of the pillars on which the Sliema waterpolo club was built and it was therefore fitting that the refurbished complex was named after him in the 1990s.
While many of my generation and those younger remember him as president of the Sliema Aquatic Sports Club, he also served as president of the Sliema Wanderers Football Club. He served as president between 1955 and 1959 and again between 1961 and 1962, during which time Sliema Wanderers won no fewer than 12 titles. Mr Meli has sadly left us, yet his example lives on not only in sports but among all those who were lucky to know him – August 30.
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.