Well over 800 people marched from City Gate to Great Siege Square this morning against the disgraceful state of the Maltese environment and an even worse attitude of Maltese politicians on the issue.
Astrid Vella, the spokesperson of Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar said that they are concerned about the unrestrained building taking place in Malta and that politicians, with lack of vision and total short-sightedness are considering "progress". This is resulting in villages being ruined by the construction of ugly buildings in their cores, with an upheaval for the inhabitants and pressure on the infrastructure.
"The quality of our lives is deteriorating, to the point that in every area of Malta houses architectural and historic value are constantly being demolished. New apartment blocks are being built without considering the need for light and air or density of population, while commercial developments are destroying the peace of residential areas. Overnight, people find themselves living in a building site and having to spend a long time living with unacceptable levels of noise and dust, as well as damage to their homes, danger to their health and sometimes even to their lives. This is contributing to many health problems, including the highest rate of asthma among children in Mediterranean countries."
"The proposition that land of ecological and archaeological value is to be used for the development of golf courses and other construction for the benefit of the few and a loss for the whole country. More virgin land is now earmarked for development, further reducing what little countryside we have. Public access to the countryside and foreshore is being blocked. This not only ruins our landscapes and enjoyment thereof but threatens rare species of flora and fauna (biodiversity) and destroys our natural resources."
During her speech she expressed regarding the pollution of the sea and uncontrolled spread of fish farms that are having negative effects on the sea-life as well as impact on our precious water resources; reduction of the recreational value of the beaches and all this with bad effects on tourism.
Elaborating more on the Tourist industry, Ms. Vella said that it is suffering due to the general degradation of our surroundings. Indeed there have been job losses in the sector as well as closure of related establishments are on the increase.
Amongst the proposals put forward, Ms. Vella insisted that there should not even be a consideration of construction outside the Development Zones and that MEPA should really be autonomous and accountable. According to them MEPA regulations should be reviewed to give the citizen his full rights of information, representation and protection.
The FAA is also proposing that a law on total transparency in the finances of political parties and limits to the amount of donations that one can make to the same parties should be passed and that investment should be made to ensure enforcement of all laws regarding development and the environment. There should also be an annual report on such law enforcement.
An appeal so that the environment becomes a national problem and not be adopted by partisan politics was made. "All political parties should unite on the environmental front and take widespread positive steps to the benefit of the public in general" read FAA's press release.
Video: Interview with Harry Vassallo