Another job finished. Bisazza Street in Sliema is ready and it will be fully pedestrianised! This important commercial area has been in need of a facelift for years. While, years back, some opposed the removal of traffic from this street, perseverance, patience and reason prevailed. Our decision to fully pedestrianise Bisazza Street was reinforced by the support of both the Sliema Business Community and the Sliema local council, where a very substantial majority voted to introduce a trial period without traffic, including buses. The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU also supported this idea. The new public transport routes would otherwise mean buses passing through Bisazza Street every two minutes, preventing us from guaranteeing pedestrian safety. I understand that some still have some misgivings about this choice but I’m confident this decision will eventually also gain their support.
Many provided positive feedback whenever I visited the works being carried out. Two comments struck me. A Maltese who works in Bisazza Street told me: “At least, I can now open my office window.” A similar comment came from a foreigner who has lived in Malta for 40 years: “Thanks, finally we can breathe in this street.” A clean environment that gives a sense of freedom and comfort, where people can stroll across the street and take advantage of the benches and other street furniture installed by the Works Division.
It is rewarding to watch people – not cars – enjoy public open spaces.
“Take the long route faster” said a sign erected by the first elected Sliema local council next to the top of Qui-Si-Sana Street in an attempt to divert traffic away from Bisazza Street. This will be accomplished now that, together with the council, we have widened the Qui-Si-Sana promenade and Transport Malta will complete access to the Midi tunnel. I had hoped access to this tunnel would be completed earlier, avoiding burdening interior roads in Tigné with traffic heading towards the Strand while works were being carried out on Bisazza Street. I am assured this will be ready by the time Bisazza Street is complete.
Next Monday, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Bisazza Street, complementing the embellishment of Tower Road, St Anne Square and Manwel Dimech Street. The next priority will be the Strand. We need to improve aesthetical quality without losing parking spaces. While the new public transport system will change the way we travel, we cannot further reduce parking spaces available for those who choose to use their car. We have already lost spaces and cannot afford to lose more. Achieving this balance will not be easy, yet perseverance will again see us through – June 3.
Reflections on the referendum
Despite evident confusion, the divorce referendum result was clearer than expected. When analysing and interpreting the result, we must also take into account the large percentage of people who chose not to collect their voting documents, didn’t vote or invalidated their vote. It seems that a large number of those who had serious doubts over the way they should vote did not choose the precautionary principle and vote against, as I expected. Rather, they chose to abstain. Whether people realised this would favour the Yes camp remains debatable.
Ultimately, the result is clear and it is expected that Parliament will respect this result.
It seems that many felt the question they should be addressing was not whether divorce is in itself good or bad but whether it is a necessary remedy for a scenario where cohabitation may become more popular than marriage. I would disagree that we have already reached such a situation.
The Church also continued to insist that divorce is in itself wrong, yet, the majority disagreed on the point being voted upon. Others took the opportunity to attack the Church instead of entering into the depths of the question put to us.
At least one common point emerged from both opposing camps following the referendum: the need to increase initiatives and measures that strengthen family stability, which remains a priority in Maltese society – June 1.
The foodsupply chain
Germany has reported 14 deaths associated with the consumption of cucumbers allegedly contaminated with E.coli. Over 1,000 people have been infected. The consignment of cucumbers originated in Spain but the direct connection between contamination and country of origin has yet to be established.
The production stage in which contamination took place remains unknown – during growth, transport, packaging or while being shelved for consumer purchase. In these circumstances, the German authorities have recommended that food be washed thoroughly and cooked.
Aside from the tragic loss of life, exporting countries are suffering reduced product demand. Spain has reported losses of more than €170 million a week. During an Agriculture Ministers’ meeting I attended in Hungary this week, the European Commission was asked to consider introducing emergency measures to protect the market and avoid job losses in this sector.
In many countries, food is not sold directly by farmers and the fact that it passes through different production stages before reaching the consumer increases the risk of disease and complicates establishing the source of contamination. This clearly shows the benefits of a shorter food-supply chain in Malta where we can buy vegetables directly from farmers with greater assurance regarding the production process.
This complements other advantages, such as reduced CO2 emissions from the transport of food across long distances and fairer revenue to farmers. Obviously, we still need to take all necessary precautions to ensure that food is properly cleaned before being consumed – May 31.
A noble initiative
The Jesuits have launched a campaign for the collection of used mobiles entitled A New Life For Your Old Mobile Phone. During the launch, Go’s chief executive – the company is assisting in this campaign – quoted statistics showing that, on average, people change their mobile phones every 18 months, resulting in many unused handsets being accumulated or disposed of while only 10 to 15 per cent are recycled.
My ministry has sustained an educational campaign to transform the mentality towards waste. It was therefore satisfying to attend the launch of this campaign, where functioning mobile phones will be given to people in Africa while those that no longer work will be dismantled and sold for the precious minerals they contain.
The money generated will go towards the building of an orphanage in Kenya for children orphaned by AIDS and a project in Chad where stoves that run on solar energy will be distributed. The smoke from traditional stoves leads to some 1.9 million premature deaths a year, primarily affecting women and children. This coincides with the initiative we adopted last year, where Malta donated €125,000 for the purchasing of new stoves. I appeal to readers to deposit old mobiles at any Go outlet so as to contribute to this noble initiative – May 28.
Facilitating change
I liked British Prime Minister David Cameron’s comment during his recent press conference with US President Barack Obama. Referring to events in North Africa, he stated that Europe, together with the US and others, should transform this “moment in history to a turning point in history”. This is indeed an opportunity for Europe to assist its neighbours. For years, European policy towards the region was driven by interests without recognising the benefits of democratisation and economic deve-lopment. Now Tunisian, Egyptian, Libyan, Syrian and Yemeni youths are taking their future into their own hands.
It seems that Europe may finally substantiate its rhetoric. The European Commission has launched a revamped draft neighbourhood policy, proposing an increase of €1.2 billion in assistance and opening negotiations with North Africa on a “deep and comprehensive free trade area”. The EU is promoting incentives for investment and job creation in the region, while the European Investment Bank will provide billions of euros in loans, particularly for small enterprises. The EU has also pledged to assist political parties, NGOs, trade unions and other social partners that strengthen civil society and facilitate democracy and pluralism.
Such policies are naturally also driven by interest. Europe is concerned by migration. While it wants to assist in the strengthening of democratic movements, it is also facing its own economic problems. Yet, as Mr Cameron stated, only in this way can we transform this historical moment into a turning point – May 27.
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.