The Minister was reacting to a statement by the Federation of Industry, complaining that the activity could disrupt business since it was being held on a weekday.
Mr Pullicino was speaking at a press conference announcing the activity, which is to be held next Wednesday. “The activity is set for 22 September and it is like that for everyone. Changing the date in Malta would defy the purpose. It’s like having Christmas on a day other than 25 December,” he said.
This year’s theme, the Minister explained, will be In town without my car – safe streets for the children. He said that on this day, the people will be reclaiming the space allocated to cars. “In the future, it would be good if local councils could do something similar every month.”
A record of 34 local councils will take part in this year’s event, eight more councils than last year, he said, as he thanked the councils for their support. In fact, in tandem with the closure of roads to traffic, many councils will be organising sporting activities in the streets. There will also be a promotion of road safety campaigns and discussions.
This is the fourth year that Malta will be participating. The campaign began in 1998 in France, after a study showed that 40 per cent of traffic-related Co2 emissions came from privately-owned cars. In 2000, the European Commission decided to promote the activity at an international level and this year, apart from European countries, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Brazil and Argentina will also be taking part.
The press conference was held under a tent set up in Freedom Square, Valletta, where a number of display stands were erected by entities that are connected to the theme of the event.
Among the most prominent displays was a presentation of a special filter that five students from St Augustine secondary school designed after noting the negative effect vehicle emissions had on roadside vegetation.
The students carried out research that showed that plant life was drastically reduced after it was exposed to exhaust emissions. The filter will be presented at an international symposium in Chile next July.
A Reva electric car was displayed by EVM Ltd, as were also posters about Eroc, Malta’s only producer of bio diesel – an environmentally-friendly alternative fuel. There were also stands with information from the transport authority (ADT) and the police traffic department, both of which will be participating in the activities.
The minister encouraged the public to participate in the event and use public transport. He said that local members of parliament would be participating next Wednesday, adding that there will be a regular session in parliament.
The activity is coordinated by the Environment and Rural Affairs Ministry, the Roads and Urban Development Ministry and the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry.
For more information the public can telephone 2295-2143 or visit websites www.mobilityweek-europe.org or www.22september.org