After decades of neglect and unheeded pleas, Floriana’s St Anne’s Street arcades (‘Taht il-Logog’) and the subways finally got their much-needed facelift... or did they?

The project took off some weeks before the Pope’s visit last April (Viva l-Papa!). In a fashion typical of ‘oldtime government’ practices, workers started slapping on a couple of coats of paint onto the dirty flaky walls. Work stopped for “The Visit” and, though resumed later in a hiccup manner, it was practically never finished. One can clearly see where one or two coats were given and where none at all. The same happened with the infamous subways. One that was started, and barely completed, was opened to the public. The standard of finish is absolute rubbish. Dubious choice of tiles, very dim lighting – the list is too long, but what strikes you most is the very poor workmanship. The roof problem wasn’t tackled at all and still leaks when it rains (it does), which adds to the overall mess. Work on the second subway started months ago but for some reason it was halted. It has been closed now for at least six weeks with rubbish accumulating outside the rusty gates. I cringe in shame when I see tourists making their way down the steps only to climb back, disgusted.

Valletta is at last getting a proper and much needed mega-million-euro facelift so it is very unfair that Floriana should be debased in this way.

The Floriana local council has offered several times to take ‘ownership’ and maintenance of the arcades and subways but apparently the Central Government put some mysterious strategic importance on them (I wonder) and won’t budge. I want to believe that the Minister responsible doesn’t know what’s going on and suggest that he gives us a few minutes of his precious time to personally verify the veracity of my observations. I guarantee he’ll be appalled at the sight.

Noel Galea Bason

FLORIANA