Prime Minister,
On 28 January you sent me a letter to tell us about the social services initiatives which the government has taken for the benefit of pensioners (like myself and my wife). Honestly, when we consider all the pros and cons, we do not feel we have much to celebrate. But we accept the situation.
These matters pale into insignificance beside other issues. I will refer to just one - which is seriously affecting the peace of mind (and the pockets) of thousands of citizens especially the most vulnerable. You (and all politicians) know that innocent third parties have died as a result of building works gone wrong; that serious near-fatalities continue to happen; that people are abandoned to their worries and woes; but this crucially important issue has remained unaddressed by successive administrations, including your own. I refer to the worries and dangers that people have to face as a result of imminent or ongoing nearby building works.
No regulatory body (distinct from the OHSA) exists locally, to whom concerned third parties (neighbours) may address their serious preoccupations regarding building applications or actual works. Consequently the most vulnerable continue to suffer.
One of the reasons for the setting up of the Infrastructure Ministry’s Building Construction Industry Department, was to cooperate with the BICC to upgrade building techniques and regulations to meet the technical and safety standards required for modern projects. This much was announced by then Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech way back in 2000.
What have Minister Ninu Zammit and Robert Musumeci done about this in the ensuing eight years – nothing! This inaction suits developers, while building site workers and residents are left with the only remedy – to take the issue to court – which, apart from being time-consuming and worrisome, is not within everyone’s financial reach – certainly not of the most vulnerable. The European Parliament and the European Commission have both expressed sympathy, but wrote that the problem had to be tackled by the Maltese authorities – or by the European Court of Justice. Meanwhile the problem goes on with those who have been hard-hit being forced to turn to the courts to try to safeguard life and limb, and their homes.
Why does this administration, and particularly ministers Ninu Zammit and Tonio Borg, refuse to address this dangerous and unjust problem? Many people believe that by not shouldering their responsibilities, the government hopes to avoid invoking the wrath of mighty developers. A workable solution for concerned neighbours needs to be thought out and implemented. Recently somebody – perhaps from Castille itself – forced the Occupational Health & Safety Authority to intervene on behalf of the old lady from Sliema who risked being entombed in her own flat as a result of a development nearby. The OHSA’s involvement was a good thing – but will this regulatory body be ready to get involved again in safety issues affecting third parties if people so request? Can you at least inform the public accordingly? It is as good a time as any to put the record straight, just before an election.
As for some of Malta’s archaic and outdated Civil Laws, the situation remains much the same. And, perhaps worse still, there is no correlation between Building Regulations and Civil Laws. Altogether a situation which is contributing to so much worry on the part of those concerned – and for MEPA, so much unnecessary embarrassment?
I am hoping, Prime Minister, that you will appreciate that as far as citizens (including pensioners) are concerned there still remain crucially important issues and injustices which need to be seriously addressed.
It is such a pity that these issues have been shelved for so long. Hopefully the next administration, whichever that may be, will seriously do what needs to be done. Thank you for your personal interest.
Joseph V. Grech
St Paul’s Bay