The works taking place on the fortifications in Mdina are very innovative and interesting. They do not only include an extensive programme of restoration of the stonework but are also focusing on consolidating parts of the fortifications of Mdina, which are in a vulnerable state, in view of the foundations that have been giving way for the past 60 years, if not more. The foundations were constructed on a thin layer of rock that lies on a layer of clay.
The work involves a delicate task. At the moment, the works are concentrated on the bastion of St Paul and on the fortifications under Palazzo Vilhena. Forty micropiles, 30 metres long, are being inserted in the bastion. Under the Vilhena Palace the reinforcement works consist of deep piles of 16 metres, together with post-tensioned tendons. This material is being inserted in the fortifications from above and from the sides to maintain the whole construction “sewn” together. One can get a glimpse of this process on www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJQY4Hk9ZAM&feature=player_embedded.
Once we reinforce the fortifications under Palazzo Vilhena, we will then need to reconstruct the back part of the palace, which was destroyed – no mean feat.
There is a sense of appreciation of the works being carried out, which many people are realising go beyond the simple task of cleaning up the fortifications. This recognition by members of the public that the works are being carried out by technical experts is resulting in a thirst for information on the works. In the coming days we will be organising a series of public lectures in which the works being carried out will be presented. One feels proud that this project caught the attention of specialised publications overseas such as Military Architecture – September 10.
Meeting the needs of elderly people
In recent days, many elderly people in Sliema approached me to express their appreciation for the fact that the pharmacy of your choice scheme is now being rolled out in Sliema. Those patients who live in Sliema and who are entitled to free medicines and who, until today, used to collect their medicines from the health centre in Gżira, can now opt to do so from a pharmacy closer to their home. Picking up their medicines from the health centre in Gżira was quite an ordeal with the steep hill to get to it.
Through this scheme, the government is fulfilling another of its electoral promises, that of extending the scheme to all towns and villages. Up until the end of 2009, there were 27 places in Malta benefitting from this service. Throughout this year, the service has been implemented in Gozo too with the result that, today, almost 39,000 patients have a far more convenient service to obtain their medication.
Furthermore, from this year, the government added another 11 medicines that are being provided for free. The government today provides 1,316 medicines to patients, which last year alone totalled a cost of €22 million, an increase of more than six per cent over the cost the year before. This all goes to show that, notwithstanding the difficult economic period we are facing, the government remains committed to sustaining a social system in our country to provide care to those who require it – September 8.
Ruthless character assassination
The character assassination of the opposition Labour Party has reared its head once again in the past days with a campaign of insinuations against David Spiteri Gingell.
In the past, the opposition publicly always spoke with respect about Mr Spiteri Gingell. Among other articles, in The Malta Independent of September 16, 2008, Leo Brincat had described Mr Spiteri Gingell as a competent person when he wrote about “a committee headed by a highly competent person like David Spiteri Gingell”.
The mask was quick to fall and, in an effort to confuse people and to undergo an exercise of mud-slinging on the contract of the extension of the power station, the opposition began a character assassination of Mr Spiteri Gingell. Mr Brincat said that Mr Spiteri Gingell did a U-turn on the strategy for emissions and that this alleged U-turn gives rise to questions being asked. Mr Brincat tried to insinuate that Mr Spiteri Gingell had some interest in undertaking this “change”.
As we indicated through facts in a press release there was no U-turn either by Mr Spiteri Gingell or by the committee.
Mr Brincat finds scandal in Mr Spiteri Gingell conducting “consultation work for contractor Nazzareno Vassallo”. As was explained by Mr Spiteri Gingell, the work was taken up by a company in which he owns a minority shareholding after it was awarded the job following competition with other companies. In addition, the work was taken on after Mr Spiteri Gingell had resigned from all posts he held with the government. A remuneration of €4,000 is involved with no relation whatsoever to the work Mr Spiteri Gingell conducted when he occupied his previous public offices.
This is the opposition we are faced with, one which is willing to bulldoze over any individual in order to quench its thirst for power. The strategy is one to bully individuals who can contribute to the good of our country to the point at such valid individuals fear accepting or being in any way associated with government work – September 2.
Religious tolerance
I was yesterday invited to attend the end of the Ramadan Monday fasting by the Islamic community in our country.
I enjoyed attending this event together with the Prime Minister as our presence reaffirmed our value of pluralism in our country and the value of coexistence of Christian Maltese together with Maltese and foreigners of another faith.
As a Christian, I have great respect for every community that attempts to live a life based on religious values in a world that is, unfortunately, characterised by evermore materialism and based on the arrogance of individualism.
This event took place at a time when Muammar Gaddafi, during his visit to Italy in a meeting with about 500 youth, appealed for Europe to convert to Islam. Notwithstanding these words, one should bear in mind that in Libya there are a number of individuals who belong to religious denominations other than Islam who profess their faith freely.
Tolerance of all religions is not present in all Arab countries. Had a Christian person or a prominent person made the same kind of appeal for a conversion to Christianity, in certain Arab countries there would surely not be the same level of tolerance.
I believe it is the duty of every politician to ensure that, within the community, there is full freedom of expression and worship. It is then up to the individual as to which faith to adopt and to live that faith within a pluralist society – August 31.
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The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.