Xemxija forms part of the larger St Paul’s Bay community. Its unique location makes it one of the more important historical locations in Malta, with a history that dates back to prehistoric times, through to old settlements as evidenced by Punic remains found in the area, through Roman times to the present day.
Xemxija enjoys wonderful scenery overlying one of the most fertile valleys in Malta that runs to the mouth of a wonderful bay. It consists of 14 residential streets, a church and a number of dining establishments. Its population has reached the 1,000 mark.
Unfortunately, the general state of the area that makes up the Xemxija community leaves much to be desired. Little or no money has been spent by either the local or central government to maintain this area in a reasonable state of repair to the disappointment of so many residents who see their property values threatened despite their investment to embellish their homes.
The idea of having pavements line streets is only a vague notion to the area, as for many years, many pavements have been left to deteriorate. Moreover, in streets such as Triq is-Simar one comes across mounds of rubbish that depresses the environment of the street.
Piscopo Macedonia is another street that has presented specific hazards to motorists and users of this street. Massive concrete blocks line one of the sides, so that a stretch of the road does not permit two cars to drive in opposite directions. This presents a singular hazard as one access to this narrow part is through a very steep hill meaning that the drivers climbing this hill will come upon this narrow stretch at some speed and can easily meet an oncoming car with the resultant dangers.
Petitions to the local council and Transport Malta have so far been in vain and the danger has been allowed to persist.
An equally dangerous spot is a stretch of road leading into Triq Raddet ir-Roti. It presents a blind spot to drivers meaning that two drivers moving in opposite directions can have a face-to-face encounter without a moment’s notice.
Many residents have also expressed their disappointment at the lack of traffic management in the area, where haphazard parking is leading to a number of streets becoming inaccessible and dangerous to both drivers and passers-by.
A stretch of road that is uncomfortable for its users, especially at night-time, is that running along the old Mistra Village.
The representatives of the Labour Party are concerned at the general poor state of repair of this area that should be a tranquil one for its residents yet has gradually become disordered and cluttered.
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all residential and commercial zones such as that of Xemxija are hospitable to the residents and families of the zone. The local council, led by a Nationalist majority and the very same Nationalist government, should rise to its responsibilities and heed Labour’s call for the needs of this community to be met without further delay.