From Mr S. Sammut

During the grey Labour years of the 1980s, we witnessed a deplorable systematic attack on our environment. Decisions were taken then at ministerial level that had drastically reduced green areas and green belts. This has not abated in the 20 or so years since the Nationalist have been trusted to rule this country. The infamous rationalization process of the ODZ is just one recent reminder of this, a decision that understandably outraged environmentally conscientious people. It is estimated that we have a surplus of buildings for 20 years to come and yet the Nationalist administration did not feel it should stop all this nonsense of having more and more developments when around 40,000 dwellings lie vacant.

They did not feel any urge to address the issue of rent reform; they merely promised a white paper but simply dragged their feet consequent to electoral calculations. The setting up of a Planning Authority in the late 1980s however was not only a relief but also surely a step in the right direction.

The then Planning Authority would issue policies ranging from harmonization to uniformity in planning provisions, but eventually we were to witness the transformation into a MEPA structure with direct political appointees from the two major parties and from the OPM itself. Various controversial decisions have compelled the setting up of environmental conscientious groups, which have mobilized public support against decisions taken and which undermine our quality of life and our right to sustainable development. We have had to witness the uglification of Sliema with high-rise developments that have deprived the immediate neighbours from their right to sunshine and a view from their balconies.

The egoistic demands of construction magnates have been appeased. Politicians from the two major parties have had their agendas hijacked by lobby groups, which resulted in a highly environmental eyesore and hazard.

Sliema has been made to wake up to the reality of war-stricken roads with construction activity from dawn till dusk infringing the basic demands of respect to the neighbourhood. Alternattiva Demokratika only can stop all this and bring some sense into our planning and development.

Alternattiva Demokratika has been a lone voice in the wilderness. From time to time it has called for a change in the way MEPA is structured and criticised some board members’ conflict of interest when it came to waiving EIAs and voting on some mega-project development that will burden Sliema with more over development, lack of parking facilities and a quasi permanent traffic jam. It has vehemently criticised the way the MEPA auditor has been hindered in functioning properly.

For the past 18 years since its inception, Alternattiva Demokratika has incessantly come up with proposals that can cure our ailing environment. With regard to the spokespersons of the two major parties, one can understand that they are constrained by the dictates of their central administration, which simply has no political will to implement measures that reduce our dependency on one source of energy. Unlike other countries, with regards to alternative source of energy, our country has been made to lag far behind.

No wonder more and more people are coming to terms with the idea that Malta desperately needs a Green Minister for the Environment and this can only be achieved with an Alternattiva Demokratika (Green Party) MP and a coalition government.

I am sure Malta’s environment would fare much better with an AD Minister for the Environment.

Saviour Sammut

SAFI