The untouchables

Residents of Triq l-Abbate Savoia, Naxxar, were forced to slosh their way home last week after construction debris from a sloppy contractor turned their road into a muddy mess. A frustrated resident says this happens on a daily basis. Police officers visited the place to no avail and the Malta Developers’ Association and the Buildings Regulation Office did not even bother to show up, the residents complained. It seems that contractors are increasingly appearing to be untouchable.

Covered up

Why is it that truck drivers carrying construction material rarely cover their cargo despite this being the law? Such vehicles can be seen practically all over the island, often leaving a trail behind them, posing a danger to other motorists. Harsher fines for those caught flaunting the law have become a must, provided, of course, there is enforcement.

Abusive parking

A vehicle has been abusively parking on a footpath in Sliema for days. Apart from the abdication of the owner’s responsibility, the police and the local council seem to be reluctant to act. Taking action against vehicles bearing foreign number plates also appears to be problematic these days.

More enforcement

This is what the local council had to remove from the Natura 2000 site at the Pembroke ranges last week, a day after a group of people decided to have a picnic there and burn some furniture. Well done to the council for the prompt action. Had adequate measures been in place the perpetrators could have been stopped from making such a mess in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure.