Columns and hot air

Columns and hot air
Published in the Malta Today of 18th May 2008.

Your columnist Pamela Hansen (11 May 2008) went all sanctimonious over RAM’s (Ramblers’ Association of Malta) statement on the Armier squatters ‘solution’. While she agreed to all but one point made by RAM, and even expressed admiration for the Association, she felt she had to go so far as to accuse its leaders of “showing fascist tendencies” and that they have allowed “a little power to go their heads”. She even solemnly warned “RAM is running the risk of getting too big for its boots.” All this because RAM brought the local Church into the equation.I would say that RAM’s statement, far from indicating “big-headedness”, reveals a sense of helplessness in the face of this Armier situation; a feeling shared by, I would say, some 90% of the population, apparently including Hansen herself.What is so wrong in asking our spiritual leaders to help the general public fight for its rights when this is a question of barefaced theft of public property? Haven’t the Armier squatters stolen land which belongs to all of us by birthright? Or is this not a sin by The Hansen catechism?Dr Gonzi is now ready to concede to the squatters the enjoyment of this ‘stolen’ land for three whole generations; and therefore to deny it to us law-abiding stupid others who patiently cart our chairs and tables to all corners of the country to enjoy a day by the sea. Just in case you have not noticed, he is also denying it to our children and to our great-grandchildren. As if this were not enough, the lease he is asking for is a joke: €233 (Lm100) per annum. This sum would not get you a sunbed for two months these days, let alone in 2075, when the lease ends. Some 15 years ago government sent its bulldozers and the army to sweep these illegal constructions off the map; and just 7 years ago, the then Nationalist PM demanded a Lm4,000 fee to compensate for past illegal use, and a Lm250 lease per annum valid for just 10 years. And he had most of the country behind him. How things have changed! And how fast! Has the cost of property decreased since 2001? Now, squatters are no longer to be penalised; indeed they are to be rewarded.There’s more: it is quite possible that the government (which of course means ‘we others’ who are simply being deprived of part of our birthright for three generations, at least) will have to contribute to the relocation of the pre-1992 sh anties: new buildings plus supply of roads, electricity, water and drainage. Is it possible not to feel incensed at all this?Can Ms Hansen not be dismayed at the complete silence of the bishops? Does not this most unchristian act constitute for them a theft of property? Do they not consider our government’s agreement unjust to us who believe in the rule of law? Have they ever told the grabbers that their act is sinful? Or is this kind of theft perfectly understandable to the Church and is smilingly condoned? By spreading its pastoral work among people breaking state and Church laws our bishops are eloquently expressing a disregard of the rights of the vast majority of the Maltese. We obviously have no sympathy for governments who force the Church into silence, but nor are we happy with a Church which keeps silent out of convenience. By securing an agreement on the eve of a general election the boathouse people might even be guilty of the sin of blackmail; unless, of course, it was Dr Gonzi himself who approached them with the offer. How ironic! Now the ‘boathouse’ people will no longer even need the Church’s forgiveness for their transgression. Dr Gonzi will see to that himself. We knew he could change laws, now we discover that even the remission of certain sins is his remit. Maybe our bishops will want to correct me on this delicate moral issue. On the other hand, I have no doubt that most Nationalists do not particularly appreciate this aspect of Dr Gonzi’s strong hands.Does it have to be only the NGOs who fight this injustice, this illegality? What avenues are open to these organisations? The EU? A national referendum? How can we others stop this outrageous practice before the Armier ‘solution’ spills over to the Ghadira, Gnejna, Valletta, San Tumas, Bahar ic-Caghaq and other areas? Can we at least hope for a statement from the Curia’s Environmental Commission?Or perhaps good Ms Hansen could take up the challenge herself…? Her regular column, from which she sermonizes to the powerful and the powerless every Sunday, apparently gives her the feeling of wielding more than “a little power”. Or is she too heady with power to realise that her strong criticism should be levelled at others, not at RAM and its leaders. The NGO is not even remotely interested in power; it has only one interest: standing up for the rights of the powerless.

Joseph Agius
St Paul’s Bay

Press Release: Squatters should not be rewarded, says RAM

Squatters should not be rewarded, says RAM

RAM totally opposes the granting of any concessions to the squatters who built their own place on public land, and now have the effrontery to expect to be rewarded for breaking the law and stealing land from the public. This includes the Armier squatters, recently again in the news for managing to extract pre-election sanctioning promises from both major political parties.

Minister George Pullicino has been quoted as saying, back in 2001, that "this site is by far the largest single area in the Maltese Islands where illegal development has been carried out on a massive scale".

RAM calls on the government to order utility companies to withdraw all services, all of which were supplied illegally. MEPA should slap enforcement notices on all these structures, leading to their demolition at the "owners' " expense. Furthermore, if it has any consistency, the Maltese Catholic Church should forbid priests from conducting religious services at these dwellings, thereby condoning their transgression of the seventh commandment.

This is the least that honest, law-abiding citizens expect.

Press Release: Ramblers say "No" to Mellieha ODZ villas

Ramblers say "No" to Mellieha ODZ villas

The Ramblers Association of Malta has grave concerns about the proposed building of ninety-eight bungalows on the slopes of Marfa Ridge as an extension to the Mellieha Bay Hotel. RAM strongly objects to any development in this area. Besides being, without any doubt, outside the development zone (ODZ), the northern side of Mellieha Bay is protected by MEPA as a coastal zone of natural beauty, a buffer zone to sea cliff habitat, and an ecologically and scientifically important area.

In the light of the Prime Minister's recent statement that "ODZ is ODZ", the development application for these villas should be rejected outright by the planning authority.

RAM appeals to the Prime Minister to hasten the MEPA reform process and pass the necessary legislation which will put a definite stop to all speculation in areas outside the designated development zone. This type of development is not only detrimental to our natural heritage and its enjoyment by us Maltese, but also accelerating the decline of Malta as a traditional tourist destination. It is the very negation of existing regulations and of how sustainable tourism should be promoted. This application is nothing less than a get-rich-quick scheme disguised as a tourism development, by erecting buildings in the name of tourism in ODZ areas, then turning them into expensive residential accommodation a few years later.
ODZ land is for all the public to enjoy quietly and peacefully. RAM calls for common sense, apparently in short supply at MEPA, to prevail.

Cirkewwa and Qammieh 27th April 2008

This walk was a repeat of the 1st April 2007 walk, with a slight variation at the end. Instead of heading back up the cliff from Rdum il-Qawwi, we continued walking past Ras il-Qammieh, and headed up the cliff from a series of steps leading to the road on the top. Some pictures below.

Walk Leaders: Romano assisted by Simon.
Duration: about 3 1/1 hours.

Some of the group

The boathouses

One of the routes up the cliff

Finding the way

Rambler in action

The "beach"

Enjoying a well-deserved rest

View from Ras il-Qammieh

Heading back up the cliff

A curious sign!

Press Release about MEPA Reform

RAM is very pleased with the news that the Today Public Policy Institute (TPPI) has presented an important MEPA Reform document to the Prime Minister. We are confident it contains well thought-out suggestions, which should hopefully lessen, if not stop, the endless onslaught on what is left of the Maltese countryside. We have seen this assault increasing over the years, and, as our President Lino Bugeja rightly said, "nothing is sacred any longer".

RAM calls on the Prime Minister to take on board these suggestions for the sake of the victims of this ongoing rape: us Maltese citizens, our countryside, and our tourism industry.

RAM would, however, like to put forward some of its own suggestions for reform.
As everyone knows, despite the pre-election declaration that "ODZ is ODZ", any person can still apply for "development" in an Outside Development Zone. Not only; if an application is rejected, then that same person can apply again, possibly with minor amendments, in a few months' time. Even if an ODZ application is rejected the first time around, this does not mean a definitive victory for environmentalists; the developer can in fact keep applying, until finally the objectors, often public-spirited citizens working in their free time, are worn down. An application like the one for the development of Ramla l-Hamra, rejected in October 2007, is up again for reconsideration next June, just eight months later. Along with that for the Ta' Cenc villas and bungalows, of course.

Regulations applicable for development in an ODZ area should be effectively tightened up, to the extent that only applications for agricultural or public projects (such as waste treatment plants) shall be accepted. Indeed, an application for an ODZ project, once rejected, should not be considered again. If, because of legal requirements, the need is felt to accept the same ODZ application for reconsideration, then this should only be allowed after a suitable period, say five years.

In need of substantial beefing up is also enforcement in ODZ. As everybody knows, at present this is practically non-existent.

We still maintain that our government set up MEPA to rectify past mistakes, not to perpetuate them. Any breach of the ODZ regulations should not be condoned, whether it concerns boathouses, supermarkets, cemeteries or any other constructions.

RAM would also like to see the Prime Minister setting up a unit of concerned citizens, specifically for the purpose of lodging reasonable objections to development applications. This group should be chosen from among people of proven environmental credentials and unblemished track record. The group would be funded from MEPA funds, and be totally independent of MEPA. Nor can it be otherwise since MEPA has consistently proved that its structure is totally inadequate for this purpose.

Qala - Nadur Gozo Walk 20 April 2008

Some photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chribonn/RamblerSWalk20080420QalaNadurWalk

Ramblers’ landscape objections at Mistra Heights

From the local press:

The Ramblers Association of Malta (RAM) is objecting to an environmental planning statement presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority by the developers of a proposed high rise complex on Xemxija ridge. The association says the statement is “deficient”.

In comments sent to Mepa, the association said the impact assessment of the new skyline on rural landscapes “has been found to be lacking”. The plans for the site, where Mistra Village used to stand, have also been criticised by Din l-Art Helwa.

The Ramblers Association said that at least two strategic viewpoints which had been ignored by the developers’ EPS since the only views assessed were taken from angles which would make the development look less imposing. The two view aspects pointed out by the association are on the main road at the highest point of Selmun Hill and from the belvedere at Selmun which would be a highly sensitive spot in terms of negative effects on how the environment is experienced visually.

RAM said both are favourite spots with local and foreign ramblers. The number of tourists who come for rambling holidays in Malta “cannot be under-estimated and make up a substantial portion of tourist arrivals who sustain the local industry especially during the low season. Popular walking routes with such tourists include the ridges of Mellieha, Mizieb and Wardija among the main ridges that will be adversely affected by the negative visual impact of the proposed highrise development.”