Senglea mayor Joseph Casha said he “cannot stop” residents from setting up an association and that they are “at liberty” to express their concerns in an organised manner and pledged that the council will listen to gripes in an attempt to find solutions to them.

A group of proactive residents in Senglea recently set up an association with the aim of involving the community in decisions that affect the locality. The main issues that the association seeks to address are excessive noise pollution, parking problems and general cleanliness.

Association president Joe Abela gave special mention to the noise pollution that is brought about by weddings that take place in the locality, which is also the reason for a shortage of parking which is usual taken up by guests. They also brought attention to environmental policies that are not being respected or enforced, specifically with regard to the issue of drainage seeping into the sea, cleanliness and construction sites.

The Malta Independent contacted Mr Casha about his reactions to the setting up of this association, in response he said that he “could not stop” anybody from setting up. On being asked about whether the issues outlined by the association are going to be made a priority for the local council, Mr Casha said that “we are open to discuss all matters as we have always been.” He said that not all the issues raised by the association will necessarily be dealt with, but that the council must act in the “general interest” of the whole locality and not for a smaller portion of the Senglea population.

Noise pollution, ferry service in Senglea