Malta has been suffering from an environmental deficit for at least 50 years. Fifty years of sustained, or better still, unrestrained ‘development’ that has left irreversible scars on the Maltese landscape. Moreover, this visual disfigurement of our surroundings has raised a host of problematic and complicated issues in society. Issues left unaddressed in the name of progress, profit and growth.
Some may opine that a call for restrained development is a sign of economic naivety. After all, since Independence most politicians, policymakers and a clutch of economic big wigs have consistently spoken warmly og the construction industry as ‘the motor of our economy’. Clearly it would be stupid to champion a ‘no development at all costs approach’. It is more than appreciated that a fully functioning economy is never still. It is also abundantly obvious that to achieve prosperity all economies must adapt, change and renew.
Sadly, my party also has been no stranger to the lures of over- development. It was probably the Gonzi administration between 2008 and 2013 that really put its foot down and resolved to arrest the construction juggernaut that had taken over Malta for more than half a century. Lawrence Gonzi committed himself to strengthening the legal framework of planning agencies and the powers of regulation and enforcement. Whether the PN administration was successful in this or not is a difficult question to answer. The intention was crystal clear, but as in all things Maltese, it cost the Nationalist Party a heavy electoral price.
For all the hopes and aspirations expressed four years ago, the change in administration of our nation has heralded untold havoc on an already embattled environment. Premier Muscat hoodwinked all and sundry with his musings on a better environment and cleaner air postulations. The culture of an open society and having a healthy debate was discarded as Labour hacked away at the few institutions responsible for safeguarding planning sanity in Malta.
The ultimate aim of introducing the separation of Mepa was to create new powers for the government to take unilateral decisions unfettered by Mepa scrutiny. This provides the Prime Minister with effective control on the planning process whereby, with the stroke of a pen, he can regulate unencumbered by the usual planning safeguards. Years of patient and painstaking efforts to build a planning agency with greater executive power has been unceremoniously thrown out of the window.
‘Il-Gvern li Jisma’ has transformed into ‘Il-Gvern li Jghaddi minn fuqek’! (From a Government that listens to a Government that steamrolls over you). And it seems to be picking up pace fast! The race to the bottom is on while we witness in horror the approval of permits for some outrageous monstrosities in our village and town centres.
This weekend the Nationalist Party is re-affirming its commitment to make a clean break with its environmental legacy. The PN Convention ‘Idea Ghawdex’ is all about arresting in a logical way the planning insanity that has gripped this country.
The many proposals included in this latest plan on the environment is witness to the commitment that the leader of the Nationalist Party Simon Busuttil is making to all Maltese and Gozitans. A vision for Malta that extends to 2050; a workable plan that caters for a balanced approach which will give some breathing space to an environment increasingly under attack.
The Nationalist Party must continue to identify the worries and anxieties expressed by many across the country on this issue. As a political force, we must continue using this platform to provide a voice to many selfless individuals who work tirelessly for environmental causes. Our voice will join theirs and the many well-meaning environmental NGOs to lobby for a better environment for Malta. This I believe must be done without delay, before it is too late!
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|Ms Galea is a PN General Election candidate on the Fourth District