Last week I received this SMS, which read. Dinner this evening @ 8.30pm –Pjazza Gavino Gulia Bormla. Catching-up with friends, indulging in sumptuous bites, in addition to a steady flow of locally produced wine and no-holds-barred conversation makes it hard for me to turn down the invite.

Without hesitation I confirmed. Meeting my friends at Pjazza Gavino Gulia was a first for me. During the evening I learned that a friend of ours coming from the Cottonera area suggested that for a change we should find a restaurant close to his home saving him the after dinner drive.

As I am not well acquainted to the Cottonera area, I decided to go a bit earlier to see for myself the Cottonera embellishment project. On my way to Pjazza Gavino Gulia, love them or hate them, two personalities came to mind Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici (il-Gross) and Dom Mintoff (il-Perit). Their stature and standing in our society is a head and shoulders cut above the rest for different reasons. Both hailed from the Cottonera area and both have made significant political contributions to Malta’s development.

Cospicua, a fortified city located opposite Valletta is flanked by Senglea on one side and Vittoriosa on the other, making the Cottonera region unique.  Perhaps unique is not the best superlative to describe the area. I must admit I had a negative perception of the area. This I have changed. I was pleasantly surprised with the embellishment and the upgrades in the area. The berthed luxurious yachts of all sizes, the pedestrian bridge across dockyard creek at the mouth of the dock and the wide promenades are all outstanding features in the project. 

The picturesque ambience and open spaces are unpretentiously magnificent. The well illuminated historical buildings and other places of interest including the St. Lawrence’s Church and the Immaculate Conception Parish Church and the meticulously shaped flight of steps beneath the church are all added value to the area. The once dilapidated Cottonera area is now transformed into a scenic promenade.

The black boundary dry-docks wall has long been removed and instead there is an embellished wide-pavement which runs alongside Dock 1. The run-down workshops of the various trades of the closed Malta Dry Docks will, once restored and rehabilitated, further improve the area.  However, for the workers’ contribution to society, the large red main door of the Malta Dry Docks should have been incorporated in the Cottonera embellishment project.

In a nutshell this part of the island which for many years was neglected has now a majestic appearance. Not only the Cottonera residents should be pleased with the project but the whole nation should treasure Cottonera. Hopefully, the current administration will provide the yearly funding to the respective Local Councils to ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of the area.  

However, the feel good factor and pleasant experience during my stroll at Cottonera were almost wiped away during our frank conversation. The recurrent pledge which is taking root in the subconscious of many is becoming rather widespread amongst many people I learnt. Though difficult to explain, it may well be described as fear of the unknown. Whether real or perceived, any form of politically motivated fear should be stamped out.

I strongly believe that standing up for your rights is not and should not be questioned. If this right is put into doubt, it means that the checks and balances are not working and the issue is by far larger than one may imagine.  People have to seek all avenues to get redress but giving in is not an option. 

Unfortunately, I learned that this is not only a growing concern amongst public sector workers but is also shared by members of the small business community. Fear of the unknown is much worse than any other real or perceived challenge which may surface from time to time. If this issue is not addressed and allowed to brew amongst the electorate, the PN can wave the white surrendering flags before going to the polls. A quote which I came across lately is a perfect fit -when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

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