The Monti hawkers lawyer and representative Claire Bonello yesterday told The Malta Independent that the only design for stalls which they were shown by the government in a presentation last week was the one which resembles half a traditional yellow Maltese bus.

Dr Bonello rebutted a statement by the government issued last night which stated that the bus design was “one of many” which was shown to the hawkers.  

The whole furore erupted after The Malta Independent published a photograph of the bus design in its Monday edition.

Many hawkers have since stated that they prefer the original design, which won a competition in February, and has not yet been seen by the public until www.independent.com.mt published them online yesterday evening.

In a press statement following the publication of the bus design, the Ministry for the Economy said that “the current (bus) picture circulating in the media was an example of many shown during a closed consultative session of possible moveable stalls, also known as trailers, which do not require the necessary daily assembly and dismantling, as well as reduce the noise pollution generated during assembly, as do the current stalls being used by the Monti hawkers.”

However, Dr Bonello who was present during the meeting between Economy Ministry consultant Alex Farrugia and the Monti hawkers denied this completely. “The bus design which featured on the newspaper was the only one show during the presentation. They only said that the design can come in different wrappings and colours. But that was the only design shown.”

The statement also denied claims that the winning entry for the monti stalls was scrapped and that a new one has already been chosen. However, this newspaper never said that the ‘bus design’ was the final decision. It was clearly specified that the design presented in a meeting with Monti hawkers was just another government’s proposal.

Those present for the meeting with Mr Farrugia last week thought they would be formally presented with the official design chosen following a competition, a design which they were already familiar with. However, they were taken by surprise when Mr Farrugia popped up a photo of a mechanized, four wheeled container on the screen during the presentation.

This newsroom later managed to acquire the design which was originally chosen as the best by an adjudicating panel headed by architect Chris Mintoff. The call for applications for Monti stall designs was issued on 9 February 2015. The design by architects Ray Said and Rupert Pace was the winner. They were awarded €5,000. But that’s as far as the story got, because so far the government has not given the green light for the project to go ahead, in spite of the fact that Monti hawkers have spoken in favour of the Said-Pace design.

This newspaper spoke Monti hawkers in Merchants Street to hear what they have to say about this proposed 'bus' design. From what they said, it is very clear that Monti hawkers were quite happy with the design chosen by the adjudicating board, and not the ‘bus’ design. “We were happy with the original design. This one proposed by the government looks mediocre and will make Ordinance Street look like an old bus terminus.” Representatives who spoke with this newspaper agree that a “fixed structure like the one proposed by Said and Pace is better.” 

The expression of interest clearly stipulates that the participating designs should show stalls which “best integrate with the landscape surroundings.”

It also states that “the stalls shall be constructed with materials that are longstanding and practical to dismantle on a daily basis and best express that artist’s statement”.

According to the requirements mentioned in the expression of interest, the stalls shall be 2.6 metres high, 2.94 metres wide and a breadth of 2.3 metres.

Point 6.7 of the submission requirements clearly states that “the government reserves the right to reject, at its sole and absolute discretion any or all expressions of interest submitted and will not be bound to give reasons for rejecting such expressions.” 

This newsroom has sent a series of questions to the Ministry for further clarification. This newspaper asked the Ministry to clarify who designed the ‘bus-shaped’ stalls and how much will these cost. However the Ministry only explained that “once a final design incorporating all the requisite elements is agreed upon by all stakeholders, a tendering process will take place for their manufacture. It is premature to give any details on this regard.”

“It is premature to comment on other matters that are still being discussed in the consultations. When decisions on the various matters and issues involving the monti-hawkers and all other stakeholders have been reached, they will be made public.”   

On Monday evening, the Minister responsible for the Economy Chris Cardona said that the monti relocation will be taking place “in the coming weeks”. Dr Cardona said that an agreement was reached so that proper inspections will be held at the new site where the hawkers will relocate.

Back in March, The Malta Independent had revealed that the government was planning on buying off half of the monti hawkers to reduce the number by half before the relocation takes place.

Before the last general election, the Labour Party had promised that the Monti in Valletta would be relocated from Merchant Street to Ordinance Street. Part of the relocation would be between the new Parliament building and the Royal Opera House. However, many felt that Monti stalls were not aesthetically adapted for a site which had just been renovated.