The government needs to come clean and clearly declare that the wellbeing of the people of Santa Venera is not its priority. Or at least, the government needs to respect the intelligence of the residents of Santa Venera and tell them, in no uncertain terms, what is the very latest in the long Regional Road roofing saga, which has now been running for the best part of a decade.
Consecutive PL governments have promised the residents of Santa Venera that they planned to roof over the portion of Regional Road, right outside the tunnels, creating an open space and garden with an underlying parking garage.
As a Vendriz myself, I cannot but welcome such a project, however, unfortunately it is now evident that government has no intention of carrying out this project. Instead, it is using it as a cruel carrot, on the eve of each electoral cycle to try and lure votes.
This time, as a general election appears to loom closer and closer, I decided to bring up the project myself, before the PL places it in its electoral manifesto, for the fourth time or so!
Minister Miriam Dalli was somewhat stunned for words last week, when I asked her in Parliament, as minister responsible for the environment, at what stage the works for this project were. It appears that studies are still underway, but not one application to the Planning Authority has been submitted for the project.
Of course, we agree that such a project needs to be taken seriously, dear Minister Dalli, but now this project has been in the works since 2017, and by now, we would have studied the viability of a bridge to the moon.
The roofing of this most busy traffic artery that connects the north and the south of the island would improve the standard of living of the residents of Santa Venera no end. Thousands of vehicles pass through this busy road every day, day and night, generating immense noise pollution as well as emitting untold tonnes of particles in the air. Extending the tunnel structure would serve to contain the negative effects of traffic from reaching the residential area that sprawls overhead.
Minister Dalli is not the only one to disappoint the residents of Santa Venera though. A long procession of Ministers including Aaron Farrugia, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and José Herrera also promised and reassured residents about the project over the years, yet it is as far from materialising today, as it was in 2017 when it was first promised.
Government should have the decency to publish the studies carried out so far or at least give us an update which goes into a bit more detail than just saying that studies are underway.
What is holding Government back? Is the political will so weak for this project? Or are we finding it hard to justify the cost of this project, which will directly affect the health and wellbeing of thousands of residents of the area, while flushing inordinate millions of euro in corruption, mismanagement and shady dealings?
Our families' health should never be compromised with, and we can never place a price on the wellbeing of our residents. I will go a step further. We should actively seek more such projects that help mitigate the effect of our main roads, in favour of our residents elsewhere. Where possible, we should look for solutions across Malta and Gozo that improve the quality of life of our citizens, without undue delays and empty promises.
Otherwise, no one will be blamed for asking a most pertinent question. Will the PL have the gall to include this project in its upcoming electoral manifesto, again?!
Dr Darren Carabott is the Chairperson of the PAC and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Security