It is indeed welcome news to read that the government will be spending €13.5 million to upgrade 448 residential streets across Malta and Gozo. Some will not be too happy with the streets chosen; others might comment about the small number of streets being upgraded in their locality. 47 localities, however, stand to benefit from the scheme, but not Sliema. Nothing, zilch, Sliema does not exist!

Sliema, surely, must be considered an important locality and Sliema residents cannot comprehend why their town was completely ignored. We are told that all roads announced were chosen by the local councils, assuming, that is, that the council did actually submit their choices.

So what has gone wrong and why was Sliema left out of this scheme? Did the local council make any recommendations? If in the affirmative, why were they ignored? If none were made, why not? The Sliema residents have a right to know, and look forward to some explaining.

Are the elected district MPs aware of this incomprehensible omission and a lost opportunity? Sliema is indeed a forgotten and abandoned town run by an inefficient council which does not appear to have the will, drive or leadership that is indispensable to a smooth, efficient operation. MPs too, from both parties, including two ministers, do not seem to care.

May I suggest that they take some time to go around their constituency and see the deplorable situation at first hand, especially in the summer months with the influx of thousands of tourists? Perhaps when they come round, every five years or so, they can explain what they have done to improve the lot of their constituents as they ask for our votes.

Hope springs eternal, so let us hope and pray that one day the prevailing situation will come to an end and the Sliema residents will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Robert Pace Bonello

Sliema