No, I’m not referring to Diana Ross’ song but our capital city. Valletta deserves better. Capital cities around Europe celebrate and expose the very best of their magnificent nation. In our case, our capital city, a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen, a unique gem of architectural beauty, has, over the years, been messed with in a most unfortunate manner and has regressed from a true capital city buzzing with families and life into an administrative city.
An important point to emphasise and take into consideration is the fact that Valletta will be one of two Capital Cities for Culture of the European Union in 2018 under the “Culture 2000” framework programme.
In the past months, the government has literally dished out plans for our capital city without any real base of consultation, or any effort to provide a comprehensive plan for the regeneration of Valletta, in time for 2018.
First, the Prime Minister popped out of the hat the City Gate and Opera House project right in the thick of the utilities hike issue. No consultation whatsoever was made and people protested fiercely against the proposals. Then there was the St John’s Co-Cathedral saga. In the meantime, the government stressed on the relocation of Parliament without speaking to anyone beforehand.
The upside down and inside out trend continued. Amidst all this havoc, Infrastructure Minister Dr Austin Gatt hinted at the reconstruction of the breakwater bridge, leaving all the nation asking why the government had decided to re-build the breakwater bridge that effectively leads nowhere while putting aside more serious issues hitting Valletta.
Then, yet again, the government hinted at the excavation of St George’s Square and then retracted the proposal after the discovery of underground tunnels of important heritage value.
Only last Thursday, Dr Gatt announced that a tender would be issued at the end of 2009 for the installation of a new lift at the Barrakka. I would not bother to find out when this was first proposed, and the past deadlines. However, while agreeing with the idea, I have to admit that to my eyes, the design is a disgrace and quite monstrous. It does not complement our splendid bastions. Projects done in a beautiful city such as Valletta should be planned more carefully and with greater respect.
The main political parties have the responsibility to plan ahead and contribute together to complete overdue capital projects, which will regenerate the whole of Valletta while making our capital city more beautiful and exciting.
On the other hand, this might also be another phantom project, three months before the European Parliament elections, just to keep us on our toes. Just like that of rebuilding City Gate, the Opera House, the museum of St John’s Cathedral, the Fort St Elmo regeneration plan, the underground parking in St George Square and so much more.
I believe there are two main guiding lights the government should have kept in mind. The government is not aiming at regenerating Valletta as a whole. Principal roads such as Strait Street are literally a mess and are in dire need of regeneration and revitalization, which would stimulate economic activity in a holistic manner throughout the city. Not to mention the critical state of the public toilets off Strait Street among others; I feel humiliated when I see tourists entering them.
Secondly the government also failed in engaging in a healthy debate. Of course, this issue can’t be stretched ad infinitum but it does not mean that we do not set a reasonable time limit within which all interested parties and experts have the facility to give their feedback.
This is an insult to us citizens who have a right to voice our view and opinions and contribute to a national project.
The government should calm down and be more open to suggestions and to professional advice. Only with such an attitude can a revitalised Valletta ever be possible, making us, as a nation, able to exhibit our European cultural richness and diversity. It is quintessentially important for Valletta to be restored to its former glory, depicting it as a true gem in the heart of the Mediterranean and portraying the prestige of our history.
Until that time, our capital city will only witness surges of upside down, inside out myopic policies.
Nikita Zammit Alamango
Member
National Executive of the Labour Party