I would like to congratulate all the candidates who were elected to the Sliema council and wish them well.

I sincerely hope they keep their promises to make Sliema a better place to live in and would like to present them with a challenge.

A tower crane has been blocking the exit from St Paul Street into Cathedral Street, Sliema for approximately five years with all the inconveniences for the residents and garage owners in the area.

Work has been progressing at a snail’s pace and it is very unlikely that the building will be finished in the next few months. It is about time that the council urges the contractor to finish works as soon as possible.

My challenge to the council is that they get rid of the crane within 12 months, failing which they can forget my vote next time around.