Looking back at times when it was a luxury in Malta to buy a good chocolate or a colour TV despite the fact that the outside world was drowning in these commodities, it is evident that our island had to confront homemade hardships.

Now that we enjoy the freedoms of movement and of goods one would think that it has become extremely difficult to persist in a state of isolation that creates its own bizarre realities. But some of these are still with us up to this day and age.

We have started 2010 with no adequate public transport in place. The public transport reform that has been announced with much fanfare would not make a big difference if implemented according to existing plans. It would not entice private car owners to start using public transport. Provided with an underperforming public transport, people would obviously cry for more car parks and for wider roads rather than for more parks and the preservation of green areas.

The same is true with our energy troubles and waste treatment. Malta has relied on conventional centralised solutions to address these problems. I would not even be surprised if the new power link between Sicily and Malta would bypass Gozo to feed the power grid at source in Marsaxlokk. Our authorities would never admit that bad planning lies at the root of today’s shortages and utility hikes and not just the international price of oil.

This negative series turns tragic when we come to the water problem and the ongoing irreparable damage to our aquifers. In view of this disaster the general public is being punished twice since drinking water has to be purchased at retail outlets. Meanwhile some enterprises and farmers will continue to deplete our resources unchecked while the water gained from sewage treatment goes down the drain.

It all sounds so familiar. Several lacklustre administrations create a mess and at the end the huge burdens have to be borne by all.

Agnes Debono

Kercem