The start of a new year is the ideal time to take stock of one’s exertions. I must admit that the past year fills me with satisfaction vis-à-vis the work carried out. On the public works front, we continued with our efforts to provide more quality open spaces for our families. The last project to be inaugurated was the new George Bonello du Puis Garden in Qui-si-Sana, which was received with acclaim by the public. I always maintained that the area deserved an attractive park even when we were still considering the building of a car park to mitigate the parking problems for residents. Then, the proposal had identified the planting of a garden to cover and conceal the car park in an area which was very much a derelict open space.
The year which has just ended also saw the continuation of works on the restoration of fortifications and in the past weeks some finished parts have been uncovered, revealing not only the extent of the works carried out but also the beauty of these ramparts. The works are not simply of an aesthetic nature but also involve the strengthening of the structure itself as the case for Mdina and in the Ċittadella, Gozo. These works also confirm how effectively €36 million of EU funds are being used as we strive to invest in our past to ensure our future.
The past 12 months have also seen the recycling plant at Sant’Antnin become fully operational. The path to get there was long and bumpy but our perseverance paid off. Sant’Antnin receives and treats a third of all our waste. When you see it working, as many did when they visited at the Open Weekend, you realise why we considered it so vital. We’re far from done. The revised waste management strategy confirms that we need more of these facilities but we are encouraged by the progress being registered on these new projects in the permitting procedures with Mepa.
We are also working closely with Mepa on the permits for the flood relief project, also an EU-assisted project.
The latter will address and mitigate flooding in localities such as Żebbuġ, Qormi, Marsa, Birkirkara, Msida, Marsascala and others. The plan involves the building of underground tunnels providing alternative channels for flood waters and thus eliminating the damage caused at present. We anticipate progress in 2011 on this significant project.
The above are a drop or maybe the more visual of projects within a vast ministry. I refrained from delving here in important areas such as agriculture, fisheries and clean energy. I look forward to 2011 with optimism. We will seek to consolidate our work in a country which is continuing to witness positive development notwithstanding a difficult international economic environment. January 1
Yet another project in the south
Anyone familiar with the peninsula of Xrobb l-Għaġin can vouch for its wild beauty. Alas once the relay station of the Deutsche Welle closed down, the area became a magnet for vandals. A joint initiate between the government and Nature Trust is redressing this.
Xrobb l-Għaġin will by January become the new nature park of the south – 150,000 square metres of natural habitat and an eco-information centre, part of the restored relay station, to celebrate Malta’s unique eco-system. Included in the package is also a hostel for visitors and students to spend days if need be in the area discovering our country’s natural richness.
The government funds were supplemented by funds through the European Economic Area (EEA), the Norwegian government and HSBC Bank to whom we extend our sincere appreciation. The project is phased in three parts. The first two phases, which will be finalised in the next few weeks include the planting of around 15,000 trees and the setting up of the centre. The third phase, to be completed by 2012 will see the birth of a rehabilitation centre for sea animals.
The centre will also be a showcase for energy efficiency systems. We are committed to lead by example and thus the centre will boast the installation of sun pipes, a drainage treatment system which will allow the reuse of drainage water for the watering of plants and toilet flushing system, installation of double insulation windows and the generation of energy through photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
Xrobb l-Għaġin promises to be another successful partnership between government, NGOs and the private sector in the sphere of the environment. It is also another milestone for the south of the country. When we recently inaugurated the Qui-si-Sana garden there was some criticism levelled that projects were focused in my constituency. You have my word that I will not contest the Marsaxlokk district in the next election, notwithstanding the ongoing embellishment project on the promenade and the upcoming inauguration of the nature park! December 31
More gas use
In these days of relative calm, the issues surrounding the distribution of gas cylinders took centre stage and dominated the local news scene. I do not intend to use this space to enter into the various facets of the arguments involved, even in the light of the government’s public declarations that it intends to pursue discussions in the coming weeks. However, I would like to elaborate on the matters related to the widening of the domestic gas market and also its improvement.
Locally, the use of gas has been rather limited. I reckon that a liberalised gas market can contribute significantly to the development of new areas where gas can be used, hence providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to other fuels. The use of autogas, the installation of gas storage tanks for domestic and commercial use and the use of gas for domestic appliances such as air conditioners are some examples of possible future uses of gas. We are also looking at new ways for the distribution of gas – considering the introduction of a network of pipes in our roads infrastructure.
There are still many misgivings and false worries on the use of gas among consumers. In all fairness, most of the domestic appliances include safety features which are adequate to ensure the safety of users. The same applies to gas storage tanks or reservoirs and even to the distribution of gas through piped networks. Most of these options actually provide far less risk than the storage of multiple gas cylinders, which is the standard practice in many local households, including my own.
The coming year must witness maturity and progress in this area of vital importance to our consumers, our environment and our country. Our regulatory authorities, who are strategic stakeholders in this process, will be there to facilitate. December 30
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.