This is the second time that the celebrated Renzo Piano has been commissioned by the government to draw up plans for an entrance to the Maltese capital. His first plans were hailed as a masterpiece but were shot down in the media by some pen pusher friends of the Fenech Adami government. The plans were shelved because the PN government of the time could not find it in itself to disappoint its influential friends. Which left us with the monstrosity that we still have for an entrance, instead of the graceful one that Malta inherited from its past and which was eventually knocked down in the 1960s to be replaced by the hideous creation of the Borg Olivier government.

Now Mr Piano is to draw up other plans for the Gonzi government.

This is not at all meant as a criticism of Mr Piano – it was not his fault, but the then government’s, that his plans were not executed. But Mr Piano must have earned a hefty payment, as befits an architect of serious world repute. He will now be equally well paid, I am sure. And I am sure he will be earning his money. But can the Gonzi government please assure us that the new Piano plans, when submitted, will be brought to fruition, and that the architect’s payment will not again go down the drain?

Paul Camilleri

Sliema