Axe Wednesday is how the BBC described the day when the extent of the austerity measures were announced by the British government. These measures amount to a cut of about £81 billion in government spending to restore the UK’s public coffers.
Yet, according to economic analysts, these cuts will result in a reduced quality of life for British citizens. These measures include almost half a million redundancies in the public sector, higher pensionable age, reduced social benefits, cuts in defence spending and the termination of capital projects and cultural and educational programmes. These reductions will also have long-term repercussions on the private sector.
The UK is just the latest in the growing list of European countries that have implemented such tough measures. Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France are neighbouring countries that have had to take such steps.
I therefore wonder how there are still some in our country, including the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues, who seem to want us to be distracted from all this. How do they still doubt Malta’s economic resilience? The fact is that our government has succeeded in protecting jobs, increasing exports and continued to attract foreign investment without reducing wages and social benefits or introducing new taxes. What a difference. The same difference that exists between a government with direction and clear, effective policies and an irresponsible opposition that would like us to lose sight of the bigger picture – October 21.
The French connection
This morning, I had the pleasure to tour St Michael’s Counterguard in Valletta with a special guest, the internationally renowned architect, Jean Michel Wilmotte. Mr Wilmotte, together with France’s Ambassador to Malta, Daniel Rondeau, joined me in touring the historical site as part of a workshop organised for architects from the Restoration Unit and the Valletta Rehabilitation Unit. Mr Wilmotte was impressed by the value and military architecture of this counterguard and Valletta’s fortifications.
The aim of this morning’s workshop was to explore the possibility of opening up the internal passages within the bastions to serve as another entrance into Valletta. We passed through passages that have been inaccessible for many years and, as one of the architects present observed, “we were writing history”. It is our duty to unlock the potential that lies within these tunnels, giving them back to the public once the bastions’ restoration programme is complete.
The historical value of these bastions is unique. The manner in which they were built shows technical and artistic skill in both design and workmanship. The French connection with our bastions dates back to the early 18th century, when some of Valletta’s defence lines, particularly those along the periphery, were designed by French military architects. Thus, they are not only part of Maltese, but also European heritage – October 20.
Not an option
The objective behind the EU’s Water Framework Directive is the safeguarding of water resources within all EU member states. This directive establishes water quality standards, including for groundwater, that must be met by 2015. While it would be our very wish to reach the so-called “good standard” by this date, such a deadline is, unfortunately, unrealistic and unfeasible for Malta. It is therefore futile for some, such as Labour MEP Edward Scicluna, to state we should not request to have this deadline extended until 2027.
Needless to say, assessments that Malta would be unable to reach such standards by 2015 have not been pulled out of thin air. Scientific studies, including the 2009 British geological survey, have indicated that our water table cannot be replenished naturally within a short period of time. It is also important to keep in mind that the groundwater being extracted today has been filtering through our water table for over 40 years. Therefore, even by immediately adopting all possible measures, such as regulating the use of fertilisers used in farming, it would take a long period of time to reach the required standards. Moreover, technology to improve groundwater quality within a shorter period of time is not available.
It should also be noted that the directive itself stipulates that, should member states find difficulty in meeting the 2015 deadline due to disproportionate costs or the lack of available technology to meet the required standards, they may then apply an extension to the deadlines established in the directive.
In order to reach sustainable levels of extraction of groundwater by 2015, we would only have one choice: the Water Services Corporation would have to stop extracting groundwater and only produce water from the reverse osmosis plant. At present, about 40 to 50 per cent of our water comes from groundwater sources. This is not an option. It has been calculated that doing so would cost up to another €8.5 million a year, which would, in turn, translate into a greater burden imposed on the consumer. Such a scenario certainly presents a disproportionate expense and would be socially unacceptable. Furthermore, such measures would go against the spirit of sustainability that underlines this directive.
Alternatively, we have drawn up a number of measures published in the Proposal for a Water Policy for the Maltese Islands launched for public consultation last August. This document builds on the accomplishments already achieved and paves the way for the protection of groundwater. It also examines the use of second-class water following the treatment of waste water, cost-effective water harvesting and storm-water catchment.
Needless to say, no constructive and collective feedback was received from the Labour Party during the consultation period! – October 18.
A revolution!
Times certainly change. In the space of 20 years, Malta has experienced a revolution in the education sector. Take the University of Malta. This year alone, the University opened its doors to some 3,355 new students, a record number that began reading one of the many courses on offer. This will lead to the university’s student population reaching 11,610.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to inaugurate the Faculty of Engineering’s and the ICT Faculty’s final year projects’ exhibition at the university.
When I asked how many students are following courses in engineering and information technology, I was told that, in total, there are approximately 800 students. In 1987, the university’s total student population was 800. What a difference!
Naturally, investment in both infrastructure and human resources is needed for the university to cater effectively for almost 12,000 students. The commitment to such investment is evident. One such example is the works and construction being carried out to house the new Faculty of Information Technology.
The success of the education system that we have nurtured over the past 20 years is, in turn, reflected in the successes achieved by so many Maltese individuals within all sectors of society.
We are investing in each individual student through stipends; we are investing in libraries; we are investing in teachers; we are investing in more and more learning opportunities by providing scholarships. Within the past five years alone, the government awarded about 1,100 scholarships to Masters and doctoral (PhD) students.
Opportunities have also increased following Malta’s accession to the European Union, whereby our students enjoy the benefits of EU membership every day.
Education and the academic progress that each individual can make is the key to our country’s bright future – October 16.
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.