Things move slowly in this country, even where some urgency is called for. So regulations being introduced to bring a measure of control to construction sites will be brought into effect in phases over a period of two years. Thank heaven for that, some will say. At last there is action. Which is forgetting that the construction industry must be the oldest industry in the country, that regulations have been long overdue and that they are being introduced only when the frenzied tempo of development is past its heyday. Well, it still can be said, better late than never.

The intentions are good, of course. To quote Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino, the aim is to limit environmental degradation by means of appropriate construction management practices. Note the aim: “to limit” environmental degradation, not to eliminate it. We have to step carefully because, if possible, no toes must be trodden on. Indeed, why should action be drastic? Once you cannot eliminate degradation – seeing that the gross degradation that has been allowed translates into an environment that cannot be restored anyway – why be tough with offenders?

But at least, if enforced, the regulations should bring about an improvement. It would help everyone a lot if dust emissions are lessened, if the nuisance caused to those living next to construction sites is minimised (they can never be eliminated), if no spillage is allowed anywhere, and if the visual impact of construction sites and their immediate environment is rendered less of an eyesore. But, and here’s the rub, there needs to be enforcement.

This most important aspect will be in the hands of enforcement officers of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, an authority that has had mud thrown at it by its detractors, with some of the mud sticking. These officers will be joined by 14 former Dockyard workers who today are working as plainclothes environmental officers. Let us hope they will be as tough as the reputation of the dockyard worker.

According to Mr Pullicino, the construction industry plays an important role in the economy. No one can find fault with that. The industry is so important that there are people who have become filthy rich from it. Good luck to them! If only they themselves would help in enforcing the regulations, which are being brought in only because they have shown themselves to have no conscience.

But the lack of safeguards for the environment, Mr Pullicino added, often caused inconvenience to neighbouring residents and areas. Indeed, the lack of safeguards have caused more than inconvenience. People’s lives have been made rotten because of the offences of the construction industry, and there are areas in the country that can hardly be restored, such is the degradation that has been inflicted.

In Mr Pullicino’s view, what Malta needed was “self-regulation” and a “compliant society”. Self-

regulation may be absent to some extent, and especially so in the contractors who work in the construction industry, so, yes, self-regulation is needed. But in asking for a compliant society, Mr Pullicino shows himself to be rather short-sighted. For society cannot be more compliant than it is, having accepted with not much demur all the inconveniences, nuisances, and offences of which the construction industry is guilty.

According to the regulations, the owners of plots or construction sites are to appoint a site manager who will be responsible for ensuring that the contractor is abiding by all the regulations. The site manager’s contact telephone number must be clearly visible on a notice board on site and must be available on a 24-hour basis.

It is likely that site managers will be very much in demand by people living close to construction sites. These are the people suffering the inconvenience, and seeking remedies. It would be instructive to know what powers a site manager will have to make a contractor comply with his demands. It would also be instructive to know what would happen when a site manager fails to obtain a contractor’s compliance. Is it unreasonable to assume that legal mazes will arise? And where will that lead? Will the complaints of residents be satisfied, or will they end up frustrated?

Time will tell.