The past weeks have seen the holding of annual general meetings of various localities in my two districts. We owe these committee members so much that no word of thanks can be enough for all their time spent, the work put in, and the absence of asking for any rewards. At times they are taken for granted, but they are the basis and base of our pyramid of success.
The people who attend these meetings prop up the committee and the function of the party very well. We should be eternally grateful to them, as well as those who volunteer to present themselves and represent us in local councils.
It’s so hard to criticise these people who humbly work in this sector. So harsh is any ounce of criticsm on any of them. Even to those who blatantly oppose me, and who have foul mouthed me, do I say thank you. Each markets his own, each has their patron, but it’s a whole effort that gets things going. If they can become more educated and stop foul mouthing, so much the better; however, it’s living with others that makes up a community. When a person insinuates but never comes out into the open then that person is not honest. Respect is earned.
Balluta Bay square seems to have had a lot of presence in the media these days. Rumours going round talk about all sorts of projects, people and usages. I have tabled a PQ to the Prime Minister in this respect, wherein I am asking for the full details of such a project and to end speculation. Once ended, and we all know what has been going on in the darkness of somebody’s office, then can we address the problem, if there should be one. Hopefully the creator of bad ideas would stop it; however, if this is a very good idea, then let’s all know about it.
My government has been at the forefront in giving open spaces to the public all over Malta. Public land has been given back to the public in many areas, sometimes to the disappointment of the users, but for the general good and benefit to the community. If the Balluta project is going to a person’s benefit it’s one thing; if it’s going to be for the benefit of the public then it’s another matter. If it’s a creation of a car park, then we have problems all round.
Just look back at the Sliema car park saga where I was involved in, and thankfully good sense prevailed , and no out of place monstrosity project, for selfish reasons, was left to be born.
Although not wanting to go through all the hassle again, I am not worried to have to do the same thing over again, should the reasons behind this yet hidden project, give enough reason to the residents I represent.
Maybe, and I do say maybe, we are in time to discuss the whole project. Hope never seems to die.
Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP