For a long time it seems that the Nationalist Party in government considered the Malta Drydocks as a financial burden.
Never managing to make this important though vulnerable enterprise operate profitably, the government has long indicated that the only way for the exchequer to rid itself of the financial "burden" this enterprise was putting on the government finances, was to close it down. Slowly but surely this long coming solution is now nearing its final stages. But is there another way out? Dare I ask whether the government wants to explore another way? Or does it want to go for the simplest solution of passing the buck to someone else, adding a few thousand euros to the national coffers?
A Nationalist Party in government has for some years now been synonymous with dishing out thousands for the services of consultants, local and foreign. Is it not possible for the government to find a solution that would help keep the 1,700 workforce at Malta Drydocks on the books? All one needs to do is to initially start thinking outside the box. If there is no business in the ship repair and ship building industry, or if the present management is not capable of attracting enough profitable business in these areas, can other areas of operation be allocated to this workforce? Can the government attract EU funds for some mega national project that can justify keeping the 1,700 breadwinners who would then continue taking home a decent wage post December this year?
An idea which I had put forward in 1984/1985 to the then Minister of Tourism was for Malta to develop the shoreline between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Qawra. This extensive stretch is mostly not utilised by bathers and those looking for some fresh air in the hot summer months.
Due to the rough rock formation along this part of our coast only a few dare frequent this area. This project would initially entail reclaiming a few metres from the sea by placing stone or concrete boulders and filling the gap with building waste which till recently created the eyesore of mount Magħtab. Statistically 90 per cent of what goes to our landfills comes from the building industry. This project would for some years take up all this material, thus giving us time to better prepare how to eventually get rid of our waste. Following this reclamation, this shoreline can be developed as a long beach, attracting more locals and giving tourists another vast area where to enjoy our seas. This project would cater for (i) a few parking areas, eliminating cars parked on the roadside (ii) BBQ areas with all the amenities required to ensure no litter is left behind on the beach and (iii) a promenade where people could stroll along as they now do in Sliema, Marsascala and Buġibba. Cleanliness wardens, or call them what you may, may even be employed to supervise this stretch ensuring good order.
If Malta Drydocks, as is being said, can survive with only 250 people, then the government can keep this minimal workforce for the ship repair business and pass this mega contract to the Malta Drydocks paying the remaining workforce from EU funds claimed to further develop our tourist industry. Thus there will be no need anyway for subsidies to make good for the losses as at present. I am aware that being EU members this could be subject to an international tender, but I am sure there are ways and means how to go about this problem. At least one would have shown goodwill and sought another way out to protect the livelihood of 1,700 families.