I was recently taken around the Valletta market and I was glad to observe that by-and-large the stalls are kept clean, though the overall environment needs to be made to be seen more welcoming and certainly kept in a much better state.

While being taken round the Valletta market and a historical explanation was being given to me about how the place was used in years gone by, I was struck to observe that the huge underground basement was not being utilised at all.

This is a shame and a pity and the authorities-that-be should see to it immediately, namely that the huge underground basement underneath Valletta market is utilised better.

One suggestion that could be made, considering the financial plight of our country at the moment, and the fact that many people would seem to have hardly any money in their pockets, is that the basement underneath the Valletta market be refurbished at the nation’s expense. Stalls could then be rented out at a relatively cheap rate to not only increase business within the market, but also for the consumers to be able to purchase products at a somewhat cheaper rate than maybe one would tend to find in other shops where, because of the extra costs, such products may not be offered so cheaply.

It is a pity that our capital city is still shabby, despite the undoubted positive intentions of people who truly care for the image of Valletta.

One reason for this shabbiness (and the dirt that automatically ensues), is because there are so many places in Valletta that are not being used or not properly utilised, abandoned, in a state of dereliction or not being lived in. This is not to mention the danger which some of these places in fact are in, and a greater pending danger to third parties: on this latter point, I will comment in another communication.

However in this particular context, efforts should be made to see that the Valletta market is being utilised to its utmost, a situation which regrettably is far from being the case at the moment!

Emmy D. Bezzina

Chairman/Founder Alpha partit politiku

Valletta