MAY  WE  ASK,  HON.  MINISTER?

 

 

 

Honourable Ministers, we ask for your pardon!  It seems that we have been shoving too much weight on your shoulders, and evidently much more than you could possibly handle.

So, and quite understandably and justifiably, from now on we would be directing our missives and missiles at ALL the Hon. Members of Parliament.  We mustn’t leave the MPS in the Opposition just sitting pretty and laughing all along the way.  Mustn’t we also test their mettle from their humble position on the opposite benches?  Let’s see what the poor citizen means to them.  After all, haven’t we also voted for their election with the earnest hope of their offering a continual and serious monitoring of the Government’s actions.  We dare to hope that not all MPs have lost their conscience.

Therefore, in all fairness sake, and a sharing of responsibilities and duties we will be asking with the slogan plea::

 

MAY WE ASK, HON. MEMBER?

 

We feel indebted to all our countrymen to share, not only our entreaties, but also the relevant feedbacks we get from whatever sources.  It is hoped that this general information would help to create an atmosphere of openness and clarity in the relations between Citizen and Authority.

 

You well recall our analysis.  Anyhow, for your ease of reference, here it is again.

 

 

NISTAQSU   002

 

 

MAY WE ASK, HON. MINISTER?

 

 

September is fast approaching and soon we will be celebrating our National Day on September 8^th, including the organisation of the traditional National Regatta in the Grand Harbour.  May we ask why, from year to year, the organising of this event is getting from bad to worse?   For accommodating the warships for the war in Libya, we moved all vessels to find enough clear space for them on the Valletta Waterfront, however, last year, why couldn’t some space have been found in the bare Grand Harbour for the berthing of the huge cruise-liner berthed on the racecourse, as most of the boats’ courses were hidden from view nearly until close to the finishing line?   Also, we admire the efforts being made for cover of cab horses from the scorching summer sun but, please, couldn’t the numerous spectators be at least treated no less?  Can we, this year, hope for some improvement over past years, please?  After all, isn’t this activity also a main attraction for visiting tourists?

 

Joseph M. Cachia

(not a Maltese fool)

jmcachia@maltanet.net

 

 

 

 

REPLIES:

 

 

Customer Care at MRRA [customercare.mrra@gov.mt]

RE: NISTAQSU   002

 

I refer to your email. This are the replies I received in connection with your enquiries:

 

The issue of positioning of cruise liners and the judicial system are not under the responsibility of MRRA. Kindly refer to other Ministries accordingly.

 

The proposal to put shelters for the general public who is viewing the regatta is not feasible as you would need to put up such structures along the whole harbour.

 

Regards

 

My goodness, isn’t this unbelievable!  Was going to say ‘thank you’, but for what/  How’s that for shoving off all responsibility from your shoulder?   What helpful advice! At least, you could have had the decency of directing us to the responsible authority, if not of referring it directly.

Secondly, we could have given you some credit for your intelligence had you found some more plausible reason for evading any action for providing any cover for spectators.  But to come up with the excuse of having to cover the WHOLE HARBOUR makes us feel that you think us morons.  Do you have to be so intelligent to guess that small SECTIONS could well serve the purpose?   Is this what we’re paying our taxes for?

 

By the way, no comment whatsoever by any MP from the Opposition.  We will be publishing any other feedback.

 

And here is our other analysis:

 

FW: NISTAQSU

 

 

MAY WE ASK, HON. MINISTER?

 

 

Why is the MEPA (Malta Environment & Planning Authority) allowing the building of the hotel being built at the Birgu Waterfront to go much higher than the original constructions, with the ensuing result of suffocating all the residences behind it?

Furthermore, the proximity of the rear end of the hotel to the windows and balconies of the facing residences is a serious concern for security, as the negligible distance can easily be managed by the use of a plank, thus attaining access to the relevant residences.

Who is responsible for such matters?

 

 

REPLIES:

 

Dr. Simon Busuttil (MEP) wrote:

 

Thank you for your email dated 6 August. Since this matter concerns MEPA it should be sent to Minister Mario Demarco who is responsible for MEPA. His email address ismario.demarco@gov.mt

Kind regards

S Busuttil

 

 

From the Office of Dt. Mario Demarco  MTCE

 

I refer to your email . I am copying in Dr Stafrace Ceo to Mepa and Perit Borg Director Enforcement Mepa to verify what the permitted height for the Hotel was and to verify whether the hotel is being built according to height stipulated in the building permit . They will refer outcome directly to you .

 

Kindregards    

Mario de Marco

Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Environment

 

Alex

 

Kindly look into this matter and reply to Mr. cachia.

 

Tiziana, kindly follow through

 

Ian

 

 

Of course, nothing has been heard since then.  However, I’m sure that this gets first prize for ‘passing the buck’.  Besides, of course, the wrong implication of the query which, quite clearly, contested the allowing of the building in the first place. 

What a poor and pitiful state of affairs!   It is no wonder that everywhere people doubt about who is actually leading in this country, as it seems that most people in authority are helpless and hopeless. Pity the poor honest citizen!

 

By the way, no comment whatsoever by any MP from the Opposition.  We will be publishing any other feedback.

 

 

COMMENTS RECEIVED:

 

This block is illegal according to the Police sanitary laws, as it’s too high for the width of the street.

Thanks for sending the photos,

FAA

 

Qed nara sew mir-ritratti li li zviluppaturi qed jibnu fuq parti mit-triq?

What can I do to sign/support your petition?

 

 

If you are truly a “no Maltese fool” then stop hoping that such things will ever change in Malta(not to mention the whole world) – at least not in our lifetime. Justice is always in favour of the criminal no matter of what is said. Facts speak for themselves.

However I do agree with you.

 

 

OUR REPLY:

 

Quite truly, your question regarding the aim of my writing really set me rethinking.

I am not writing for profit.  I never get any payment from anyone and never sold my soul.

Hopefully, I’m trying to address listening ears, not simply hearing ones and am striving hard to make people think more seriously and deeper on things that really matter.

I do not know if I’m succeeding but am always encouraged by the positive responses, like your kind one, which I greatly appreciate.

 

======================================================

 

Don’t lose heart!  Why should we give up?  See you next time!

 

 

Joseph M. Cachia

(not a Maltese fool)

jmcachia@maltanet.net