We have been told with almost undisguised glee that between them the central government and local councils will be seeing to well over 400 streets.

That is all very good and commendable, except for the fact that the people of Ta’ Giorni housing estate have been given further proof – as if any were still needed – that they are only second-class citizens of St Julians. Out of 15 or so streets that will be repaired and resurfaced, there is not a single one of them in the estate. Residents there have got to be content with patch upon patch upon patch – literally.

The last piece of “good” road works in the estate was done just before the most recent MEP elections, for obvious vote-catching reasons, of course, but also “strategically” in the vicinity of certain residents. And, to add insult to injury, in executing that job they ruined a patch in Hans Stumme Street that has lain ruined ever since.

The only local councillor in the area, Irene Borg, is reported to have been told to assure the residents that “this is only the first phase of a grander scheme of things”. If that is so, why were not the residents of some other street told that, so that a symbolic gesture of just one street would have been the lot of Ta’ Giorni?

Let readers be aware that Ta’ Giorni Heights is not the same as Ta’ Giorni housing estate. In the former, a particular street has been earmarked for “repairs” that it does not really need. Other than that, it seems that taxes are being paid by tourists other than residents because the tourist areas have been done and redone ad nauseam.

If only people would open their eyes!