More than 30 families have banded together and are mulling legal action against the government after maintenance work at their apartment block in Pembroke stopped abruptly, with the site left in a dangerous state.
The work was being carried out to solve infrastructural problems that had for years caused irreparable damage to the residents’ flats as well as their underground garages.
Venting their frustration, the residents told the Times of Malta that after several months of complaints, the Housing Authority, which was responsible for carrying out maintenance work on the common parts of the complex situated close to the ITS, work finally started in March.
Initially, the work was carried out at a steady pace with the contractors digging up the common yard, setting up barriers and scaffolding as they attempted to repair the damaged foundations.
However, some six weeks ago the workers left and never returned, abandoning the area in a half-finished state.
I’m a pensioner and every time I walk out of my apartment I’m afraid I might fall. That is no way to live at my age
“We own the apartments, however, the common parts are government-owned and we all have a clause in our contracts saying that the government should carry out maintenance work.
“Year after year, because of shoddy work in the common area, the underground garages flooded, causing great damage and forcing us to park our cars outside.
“Our facades have also not been repaired and some have even had to carry out repairs inside their apartments,” one of the residents told this newspaper.
The residents have tried to get in touch with the Housing Authority but all in vain, and they have been forced to live in the midst of debris and scaffolding for the past six weeks.
“I’m a pensioner and every time I walk out of my apartment I’m afraid I might fall. That is no way to live at my age. Even taking my dog out for a walk is a struggle – especially in the dark when there is no lighting. What am I to do, stay inside?” another visibly frustrated resident asked, pointing to the makeshift steps that lead to the main entrance.
Another concerned resident said that while he was annoyed at the way things were left, he was more worried about his two young children, who suffered from asthma and whose condition had worsened in recent weeks.
“I have every medical certificate and every receipt because if anything happens to my children I will hold the government responsible. This is not how things should be done and this is after years of us not being able to use our garages,” he went on.
Since the contractor carrying out the work left their machinery on site, the residents were crossing their fingers that they would return, possibly after the election. However, at some point last week, the contractor collected all the tools and machinery, dousing their only flicker of hope.
“There are some 36 families living here and we cannot live like this any longer. We are now coming together and are looking into taking legal action against the government,” the residents said.
Questions sent to the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, which is responsible for the Housing Authority, sent last week remained unanswered by the time of writing.
claire.caruana@timesofmalta.com