Recently I was walking hurriedly to attend a meeting in Republic Street in Valletta a day after I went with a relative to a shabby town in the northern part of the island. While walking, some random thoughts went through my mind. People may, with justification, complain about the lack of parking facilities available or about the introduced traffic management which some claim that the system did not achieve the desired results for residents and shop owners. One may also question why notwithstanding various efforts Valletta remains a dead city after 8pm, if not earlier. One thing is certain, Valletta is a capital city which is a national jewel. No wonder Valletta was awarded the prestigious title and will be the European capital city of culture in 2018 a showcase for Malta.
But some kilometres away we have a completely different story to attend to. A nephew invited me to join him to visit an apartment he was considering of buying. He was considering this notion in a bid to surprise his wife and his two teenage children with an apartment to use as a summer residence in Bugibba. My relative knows that I do not stop short from saying what I have to say, albeit at times with caution or with sweeteners to pungent thoughts I may form on various subjects from time to time.
He wanted my honest opinion about this family investment which also serves as a breakaway from the normal routine during the summer months. It was a rather difficult and awkward task for me as I had to place myself in the shoes of his family members, who were absent and alien to all this. Whichever way I was going to put my opinion I was going to be held accountable for the nod of my head or other-wise.
Instead I opted to show him the advantages and the disadvantages of obtaining a summer residence in Bugibba for the amount of cash he was going to invest in this property. Why not hire the apartment for one summer and see who things work out, I suggested on arrival at the entrance of the apartments. In his spontaneous and prompt reply I could understand that he wanted me to rubber stamp his decision to buy the apartment. He emphasised that the apartment was also a long-term family investment. Some investment I murmured to myself! The large stock of apartments showing prominently the For Sale sticker fixed on one of the windows gives a clear indication of the large stock of apartments which has been on the market for a long time if not years. Buyers are becoming more selective when buying their properties which in most cases may be a lifetime investment and thus requires a detailed evaluation.
From the onset Bugibba is not the place where I would look forward to live in. Swerving roads are predominantly the rule of the town. You may wonder and/or use your imagination to reach your conclusions for the issuing of such building permits which allowed the town to become full of sharp and sudden changes in most of the roads. During the 70’s and early 80’s the minister responsible from the issuing of building permits played a pivotal role. During this same period Bugibba mushroomed. When it was too late, MEPA was setup with focus on building development which brought about a barrage of complaints of all sorts from various quarters but also brought about some equilibrium between the environment and building development.
In Bugibba, many box-like buildings, mostly apartments, are very small without a lift and no room to fit one. Common services may only be reached in the shaft of the building by handymen of a pencil structure. Except from the main balcony door which brings in the only sunlight and fresh air in the apartment all windows open either on neighbours or onto the shaft which are so small that windows can only be half open.
No wonder bus-loads of tourists were flocking around some with tourist guides in all places of architectural value, national museums illustrating our rich cultural heritage, cafes and shops. Valletta itself a monument is still a vibrant city and stood the test of time thanks to the vision and wisdom of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette in 1566 who laid the foundation stone of what we still enjoy. Wisely we do well to continuously promote our cultural heritage and our capital city to attract more tourists.
On the other hand we have Bugibba built many years later mostly in the last fifty years and has become a shanty town. This notwithstanding various authorities entrusted with the responsibility to stop such monstrous buildings which lack architectural value or adequate facilities and space to be used as a summer residence let alone to live in most of these gabubi permanently.
My relative made his own conclusions he decided not to buy the apartment which we toured in Bugibba as his summer residence. He concluded that buying property should primarily be adequate for its purpose, be a worth-while and a sound investment. Perhaps building developers need to use more imagination at the planning stage and ensure that facilities are well designed to attract buyers whether as a summer residence or permanent living. The developers quick buck approach does not pay.
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