• The company that owns the oil rig Paul Romano that listed while undergoing repairs at Palumbo Shipyard never explained why the incident happened. It took weeks for the rig to be put on even keel and yet the owners or their agents never bothered to offer an explanation, despite media requests. This is not the right way to build trust, especially as the rig will shortly be drilling for oil to the south of Malta. Given the accident that happened in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago, it helps to put people’s minds at rest that the rig operators are up to the job.
Safety first
• A Management Efficiency Unit report on the Marsascala family park revealed that no health and safety checks were made on the site before it was opened. Various shortcomings were identified, such as serious choking or grazing hazards posed by the gravel used to fill in the areas between the play equipment. It is shameful that no proper safety checks were made on a new project, but now the Government must act fast to address the safety concerns and come up with a proper management plan so that the park can reopen its doors to families and children as soon as possible.
Postal delay
• At the beginning of April the postal authorities decided to raise the local postage rate from 20c to 26c. To date they have not printed the 6c stamp. It is about time that the postal authorities did something to mitigate this situation.
Street name change
• Great Siege Road, Valletta, should perhaps be renamed to pay tribute to the horses that leave their mark there. Cabbie drivers should be fined for not cleaning after their horses, in the same way dog owners are. The stench in the area is unbearable and people cannot enjoy a walk in that area.
Wrong attire
• Gozo Channel personnel should ensure that passengers are suitably dressed on the ferry, especially in the lounge bar. Bare-chested customers were seen queuing for snacks on the 9.45am trip to Malta one day last week.
Bad timing
• Joseph Calleja’s concert attracted thousands to the Floriana Granaries on Thursday. However, it is unacceptable that people are allowed into the seating area, to the detriment of those already seated, once the concert has started. They should either be there on time, wait outside or move to the back.
Still out of stock
• Omeprazole is still out of stock from the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme and has been for the past 10 weeks, which is probably a record. How much longer must patients wait to be given such pills? The situation regarding out-of-stock pills is really alarming and has never been so bad. To make matters worse, no information is ever given to patients about when such pills are expected to be in stock and the Ministry of Health remains silent on the issue. What a shame! Is this the change people voted for?
Long mend
• The residents of Old College Street, Sliema, and its whereabouts must have been relieved that the extensive works were finally complete after so many long weeks. Yet, one still wonders why it had to take so long and hope that others won’t have to suffer the same fate.
Spick and span
• This point has already been raised here before but it’s worth repeating, given the prime location in question. Who is responsible for ensuring that the bus terminus area in City Gate, Valletta, is constantly cleaned up? Is it the central government or the local council? Urgent action is a must because the place often looks so shabby.
Road blocks
• It has been noted in Santa Venera and in Ħamrun recently, though it surely happens elsewhere too, probably across the whole island. Gangs of men could be seen setting up or dismantling street decorations for the locality’s feasts, completely disregarding the traffic, often bringing it to a complete halt. And no warden was ever in sight. Such work should be done late in the night and in a disciplined manner.
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