VIVA L-PAPA Iz-zjara tal-Papa l-gimgha d-diehla gabet ftit ta’ soljev ghal dawk is-sewwieqa kollha li ilhom is-snin jilmentaw dwar l-istat hazin ta’ diversi toroq arterjali. F’daqqa wahda inbeda ezercizzju ta’ hafna ghaggla biex jigi zgurat li kull min fejn se jghaddi l-Papa r-rotta tkun mill-aktar lixxa u bla skossi ghal Pope mobile. Anke l-inhawi tal-madwar gew irrangati u msebbha biex jaghtu dehra ta’ pajjiz fejn kollox jimxi fuq ir-rubini. Il-problema hi li din hi biss dehra. Jekk titlaq mir-rotta preciza li giet identifikata issib it-telqa u tkissir bhal ma kien hemm fit-toroq tar-rotta tal-Papa qabel. Dan ix-xoghol sar biss biex jimpressjona. Mhux se jservi hafna ghax kull mhu qieghed issir hu li titqaxxar parti mill-wicc tat-triq u jinghata wicc gdid. Il-problemi li jista jkun hemm fil-pedemanti tat-triq hemm se jibqghu. Hafna toroq tigrilhom il-hsara ghax icedu l-pedementi taghhom. Dwar dan mhu qieghed issir xejn. Lanqas ma hu qieghed isir xoghol fuq difetti ohrajn li jista jkun hemm bhal ma jista jigi ikkawzat mill-ilma tax-xita li jingema fuq wicc it-triq ghax fit-triq ma jkunx hemm qlib adegwat. Lanqas ma qieghed isir xoghol fuq is-servizzi infrastrutturali li hemm taht wicc it-triq. Jekk hemm xi main ta’ l-ilma jew drenagg li jillikja allura hekk se jibqa jaghmel bil-konsegwenza li jkompli jidghajjfu l-pedamenti. Anke ix-xoghlijiet li saru fil-mina ta’ Santa Venera saru b’mod temporarju ghax minflok instab is-sors ta’ ilma li qieghed iwassal sabiex kontinwament iqattar l-ilma mis-saqaf tal-mina saret speci ta’ tinda biex l-ilma ma jqattarx fuq il-karozzi. Hadd ma jaf kemm hi n-nefqa ghal dawn ix-xoghlijiet. Ma nafux jekk dawn il-flus kienux mahsuba li jintuzaw biex isiru toroq residenzjali godda u allura n-nies li jghixu f’dawn it-toroq se jkollhom jistennew xi sena ohra qabel ma issir it-triq taghhom. Dan ix-xoghol ghal darba ohra wera l-mentalita kolonjali miskina tal-gvern ta’ Gonzi. Dan johrog car mir-risposta li inghatat meta mistoqsi dwar dawn ix-xoghlijiet. “Hawn bzonn li pajjizna jidher l-ahjar ghal din l-okkazzjoni ghax mal-Papa gejjien hafna gurnalisti.” Izda ghalina l-Maltini li nhallsu t-taxxi u noqoghdu hawn ikollna niddubbaw billi ghandna. Charles Buhagiar A+CE, MP. Main Spokesperson - Infrastructure and Capital Projects. KOORDINAMENT L-esperjenza tal-poplu fejn jidhlu t-toroq ma tantx hija tajba, minkejja li l-impressjoni sabiha li qieghed jaghti l-gvern permezz tal-media tieghu. Qeghdin naraw hafna tahwid fil-process tal-kostruzzjoni tat-toroq, fejn dan qieghed jirrizulta f’hafna tberbiq ta’ flus. Tajjeb li nanalizzaw min fejn jirrizultaw u x’inhuwa dan it-tberbiq zejjed, li wara kollox setghu intefqu biex jittaffa ftit mil-piz finanzjarju fuq il-familji. Inqabblu dan ma meta kien hemm gvern Laburista bejn il-1996-1998. Gvern Laburista kien organizzha s-sistema ta ko-ordinament tax-xoghlijiet tat-toroq. Kien kuncett li bih konna nizguraw li l-flus ma jitberbqux bil-mod li qieghed isir bhalissa, fejn xejn ma jigi ppjanat. Sa dak iz-zmien konna gbajna naraw toroq jinqalghu ezatt qara li jitlestew minhabba xi xoghol fuq servizzi infrastrutturali. Dan il Unit ta Koordinament kien jiehu hsieb jara x’inhuma l-bzonnijiet tas-servizzi infrastrutturali taht wicc it-toroq qabel ma jinbeda x-xoghol tal- bini ta t-triq. Is-sistema ta’ kordinament li kienet tintuza fuq kull triq li jaghmel il-gvern, kienet tinqasam fi tlett stadji u mifruxha fuq kull servizz partikolari. It-tlett stadji kienu dawk ta’ ppjanar qabel ma jibda l-implimentazzjoni tax-xoghol u allura kien jinkludi studju u decizjonijiet preliminari, imbaghad kien hemm il-process ta’ implimentazzjoni li huwa z-zmien ta’ meta jsir ix-xoghol fiziku. F`kaz ta’ toroq arterjali ma kienx isir biss il-koordinament bejn id-Dipartiment tat-toroq u d-dipartimenti u l-korporazzjonijiet li jipprovdu s-servizzi infrastrutturali bhal ma huma l-EneMalta, Maltacom, Water Services Corporation, Dipartiment tad-Drenagg u l-Melita Cable imma kien isir ukoll koordinament mall-kunsilli lokali, settur tan-negozju, pulizija u anke l-ghaqda tat-Trasport Pubbliku f’kaz lix-xoghlijiet kienu jaffettwaw xi rotta tat-trasport pubbliku. Permezz ta’ dawn id-diskussjonijiet kienu jigu previsti diversi problemi attwali li jistghu jinqalghu bhal ma huma problemi ta gharghar f’certi nhawi. It-tielet stadju kien dak ta’ wara l-progett, fejn ix-xoghol li jkun sar jigi analizzat biex b’hekk jitjieb ghal-progetti futuri. Kien isir l-variance budget u konna nqabblu dak li stmajna u dak li ghamilna biex it-tender li jmiss tkun ahjar. Din is-sistema waslet biex jinhargu tenders skond proceduri li permezz taghhom il variations qatt ma qabzu l-5% tal-valur tat-tenders. Dan huwa l-ahjar mezz li wiehed jiffranka l-flus u jimxi b’mod onest u serju biex naghmlu l-ahjar ghal pajjizna. Meta fl-1998 l-gvern Nazjonalista zarma jew “zbanda” dan il-unit, ghax il-kelma li intuzat kienet ‘disbanded’, qisu din kienet xi unit ta’ xi kriminali, dawn kienu zarmaw sistema serja. Kien hemm ministri Nazzjonalisti li insistew li hadd ma jista’ juza l-kelma kordinament ta xoghlijiet infrastrutturali ghax din kienet sistema li rnexxiet fi zmien il-Labour u kienet tfakrek f’dak iz-zmien ta’ success. In-Nazzjonalisti qerdu sistema tajba…ir-raguni kulhadd jafha, ghax in-nies maghrufa. In-nies li kienu jimmanigjaw dawn il-unit gew ittimbrati, u tghidx kemm ghaddew minn tbatijiet psikologici minhabba l-ingustizzji li saru maghhom. L-ewwel m’ghamlu b’dan il-unit kien li sparpaljaw lil haddiema ma kull rih, bl-intenzjoni li jkissruhom. Kull wiehed minn dawn in-nies li kienu jahdmu bla ghedha baghtuh ma dipartiment differenti, biex kollha jkunu taht ghajnejn id-diretturi Nazzjonalisti. Kollha qalghu fuq rashom, inqabzu mill-promotions ghal darba, tnejn, tlieta, uhud ma inghatawx ix-xoghol ghal snin shah, ohrajn baghtuhom il-boghod mid-dar taghhom minn naha ghal ohra ta’ Malta, insomma ippruvaw ikissruhom. Ghaliex? Ghax dawn in-nies kienu jaghmlu xoghol serju u ma jberbqux flus il-poplu, kissruhom. Ippruvaw iddahlu sistema simili imma ghalxejn. Ma waslux. Ma waslux ghax ma kienx hemm rieda li jaslu.U dan ghaliex? Forsi ghax s-sistema telimina l-possibilita’ ta’ l-abbuz assocjat mall-bzonn ta varjazzjonijiet fix-xoghol ta’ toroq? Dan is-servizz ta’ kordinament gie offrut ukoll lil kunsilli lokali. Dan il-unit kien jahdem mal-kunsilli kollha, u joffri dan is-servizz lil kull kunsill lokali bla hlas indipendentament mill-politika partigjana tal-kunsill. Fil-fatt il-kunsilli lokali kellhom hafna tifhir ghax-xoghol li kien jitwettaq. Meta l-kunsilli b’maggoranza Nazzjonalista sabu li ma kellhomx fuq min iduru ghal problemi taghhom bdew joholqu pressure fuq il-Ministri Nazzjonalisti biex jaghmlu xi haga simili. Imma kieku ghamlu hekk kienu jkunu qeghdin jaghmlu xi haga fuq principju ta’ sistema li hareg biha l-Partit Laburista, u minhabba f’hekk hallew kollox fi tbazwir u tahwid ghal ghanijiet ulterjuri taghhom. Propju bhalissa fil-kumitat tal-kontijiet pubblici fil-parlament qieghda tigi diskussa n-nefqa esagerata fuq xoghlijiet ta’ toroq li saru permezz tal-Fondi tal-Protokol Taljan. S’issa (ghax id-diskussjonijiet ghadha sejra) gie deciz li parti minn din in-nefqa saret minhabbha xoghlijiet fuq is-servizzi. Ghal darba ohra nghatajna ragun ghax bil-Unit tal-Kordinament nefqa bhal din kienet tkun prevista u ma kinietx taghti lok ghal variations li mbghad iwasslu ghall-nefqa akbar fil-valur tax-xoghlijiet. Iz-zmien tana ragun. Dear Sir, The Attard Bypass I strongly agree with the argument put forward by Mr. Emmanuel Grech (The Times, 13th March) that there is an urgent need to construct the Attard bypass. Attard is a village which is located in the centre of the island. It has always served as a through route for travellers going up to Rabat and to a lesser extent to Mosta and the North of the island. The opening of the Mriehel Bypass has meant that another route was provided for traffic to travel to the North and hence the volume of vehicles using this route for this purpose has increased significantly. However using this route also means going through the village of Attard. Although a project was carried out by the local council to pedestrianise the church square (for which project we the residents of the village core of Attard are very grateful since it has decreased substantially the flow of traffic through our narrow streets), traffic started using streets which were not intentioned for such traffic volume. At times the traffic situation becomes chaotic especially during the morning hours when Hal Warda Street is closed to traffic to enable children to access safely the primary school as well as during the rush hour in late afternoon. As a consequence of the situation this residential streets such as Triq il-Linja and Notary Zarb Street, have been transformed into arterial roads. This situation is most unfair for the residents in these streets because it gives rise to a series of problems ranging from parking difficulties to street safety and heavy air pollution. The solution to this problem is the Attard Bypass. This new road has been discussed for the past fifty years but has never reached past the discussion stage. In our manifesto for the 2003 election the Labour Party has specifically emphasised the construction of the Attard Bypass. For the present administration this road is not considered to be a priority. Indeed it is not included in the road proposals made by government for EU funding. I am sure that this road will once again be included in the Labour manifesto for the forthcoming election. A new labour government after the next election will ensure that this traffic problem which has led to the deterioration of the quality of life of all Attard residents will be eliminated. ______________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP MLP Main spokesperson for Public Works, Roads, Transport, Capital Projects and Construction. Candidate for the 7th and 11th districts. Incidenti fatali fuq siti ta’kostruzzjoni L-incidenti gravi uhud minnhom fatali li sehhew matul dawn l-ahhar gimghat fuq diversi siti ta’ kostruzzjoni jindikaw li la l-awtoritajiet u lanqas l-istakeholders fl-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni mhuma jaghtu bizzejjed attenzjoni li s-sigurta fuq siti ta’ kostruzzjoni. Dan qalu l-perit Charles Buhagiar, kelliem ewlieni Laburista ghax-Xoghlijiet Pubblici, Toroq, Trasport Pubbliku, Progetti Kapitali u Kostruzzjoni meta kein qieghed jikkumenta dwar l-ahhar incident fatali fuq sit ta’ kostruzzjoni li fih tilfu hajjithom zewg haddiema. Illum meta l-progetti ta’ kostruzzjoni qeghdin isiru fuq skala akbar u ta’ aktar kumplessita, wiehed jippretendi li l-awtoritajiet jillegislaw u jinfurzaw ir-regolamenti sabiex jaccertaw li r-riskji waqt ix-xoghjol ta’ kostruzzjoni kemm ghal haddiema involuti kif ukoll ghal terzi jkun minimizzat. L-istrutturi sabiex dan isir jezistu u gew imwaqqfa apposta minn amministrazzjoni Laburista precendenti propju ghal dan il-ghan. Twaqqaf il-Kunsill Konsultattiv dwar l-Industrija tal-Bini (BICC) li jipprovdi forum sabiex l-istakehoders kollha f’din l-industrija jiddiskutu l-problemi bhal ma hi dik dwar sigurta fuq il-lantrijiet ta’ x-xoghol u wara johorgu b’rakkomandazzjonijiet u proposti ghall-konsiderazzjoni tal-gvern. Inholoq ukoll id-dipartiment ghall-Industrija tal-Bini (Building Construction Industry Department) li ghandu rwol li jara li jeduka u jinforza r-regolamenti tal-bini. Imbaghad l-Awtorita dwar is-Sahha u s-Sigurta fuq il-post tax-xoghol trid timmonitorja t-thaddim tar-regolamenti. Madankollu jidher li mhux qedghin jittiehdu bizzejjed inizjattivi sabiex is-sigurta fuq siti ta’ kostruzzjoni titjieb. Dan qieghed jigri ghax il-gvern Nazzjonalista mhux jaghti l-prijorita misthoqqa u lanqas mhu qieghed jinbotta legislazzjoni serja f’dan il-qasam. Aktar minnhekk id-dipartimenti u l-entitajiet koncernati mhux qedghin jinghataw bizzejjed rizorsi biex iwettqu r-rwol taghhom b’mod effettiv. Filwaqt li turi s-sobgha u s-solidarjeta mall-familjari tal-vittmi ta’ dawn l-incidenti l-Oppozijoni Laburista theggeg lil gvern sabiex jaghti attenzjoni specjali li s-sigurta fuq is-siti ta’ kostruzzjoni, jimplimenta u jinforza l-mizuri mehtiega sabiex ma jergax ikollna incidenti fatali f’din l-industrija li hi tant importanti ghall-pajjizna. ________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP Kelliem Ewlieni Laburista Konfuzjoni nkonvenjent. Il-konfuzjoni u l-inkonvenjent mahluq mit-thaffir ta’ toroq quddiem il-lukandi f`San Pawl il-Bahar hu konferma ohra tal-bzonn li xoghol li jsir fit-toroq irid jigi ippjanat u kkordinat tajjeb. Dan qalu l-perit Charles Buhagiar kelliem ewlieni Laburista ghax-Xoghlijiet Pubblici, Toroq, Trasport Pubbliku, Progetti Kapitali u Kostruzzjoni meta kien qieghed jikkumenta fuq ix-xoghlijiet fit-toroq fl-inhawi turistici li nbdew propju fil-granet tal-bidu ta’ l-istagun turistiku. Il-perit Buhagiar fakkar kif fi zmien amministrazzjoni Laburista precendenti (1996-1998) kien twaqqaf action committee ghall-inhawi ta’San Pawl il-bahar, Bugibba u l-Qawra. Dan il-kumitat mhux biss kien involut fl-ippjanar u l-implimentazzjoni tal-progetti ta’ tisbieh li saru fl-inhawi izda kien responsabbli wkoll ghall-moniteragg ta’ dawn il-progetti. Dan l-action committee kien maghmul minn rapprezentanti mis-settur kummercjali u turistiku kif ukoll rapprezentanti tal-gvern. Permess ta’ dan il-kumitat flimkien mal-Unit ta’ Kordinament ta’ Xoghlijiet Pubblici li kien twaqqaf bil-ghan li x-xoghlijiet jigu ippjanati tajjeb u kkordinati b’mod li xoghol jiltlesta fl-anqas zmien possibli u bl-anqas inkonvenjent lill-pubbliku kien jigi assigurat li xoghlijiet ta’ toroq f’areas turistici ma kienux jithallew isiru fl-istagun turistiku. Ghaldaqstant nappellaw lill-gvern sabiex minghajr aktar dewmien jerga jwaqqaf il-Unit ta’Kordinament biex peress t’hekk ix-xoghlijiet li jkun hemm bzonn isiru, jigu ippjanati u kordinati b’mod li ma jhallu l-ebda effett negattiv fuq l-industrija tat-turizmu f’pajjizna. ________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP Kelliem Ewlieni Laburista. Thassib dwar is-sistema ta’ access bil-vetturi fil- Belt Back to top of page Filwaqt li ghal xhur shah matul is-sena li ghaddiet il-gvern stqarr li minn Marzu ta din is-sena se jdahhal sistema ta’ hlas ta’ tariffi ghal dawk kollha li jridu jidhlu l-Belt bil-vettura taghhom issa li fadal biss ftit jiem minn meta din it-taxxa gdida kellha tidhol fis-sehh waqa skiet kbir u din it-taxxa ma issemmietx aktar. Dan qalu l-perit Charkles Buhagiar, kelliem ewlieni ta’ l-Partit Laburista dwar Trasport, Toroq, Kostruzzjoni u Progetti meta kien qieghed jirreferi ghas-sistema tad-dhul kontrollat fil-Belt. Il-gvern Nazzjonalista sahansitra kien anke qal li gew installati cameras biex jirrekkordjaw id-dhul tal-vetturi fil-Belt, kif ukoll ippubblika serje ta’ reklami fil-gazzetti sabiex jaghti t-taghrif dwar din is-sistema. Wiehed jittama li dan is-skiet mhiex xi manuvra politika mahsuba sabiex ma tohloqx dizgwid fil-poplu propju qabel l-elezzjoniet tall-kunsilli lokali ta’ l-10 ta’ Marzu u wara li jghaddu l-elezzjonijiet tigi mhabbra din it-taxxa l-gdida. Ghalhekk il-gvern Nazzjonalista b`mod partikolari l-ministri Jesmond Mugliett u Austin Gatt li huma responsabli minn din is-sistema ghandhom jistqarru minnufih x’inhuma l-intenzjonijiet tal-gvern dwar din is-sistema. Dan biex tigi evitata l-incertezza u t-thassib li hawn bhalissa fost dawk kollha li huma kostretti juzaw il-vettura taghhom biex jidhlu l-Belt kuljum. ____________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP Kunsill Lokali Trasport, Toroq, Kostruzzjoni u Progetti Il-Bypass ta’ l-Imtarfa Il-Bypass ta’ l-Imtarfa hu ezempju iehor ta’ l-inkompetenza u l-arroganza li jikkaratterizzaw il-Gvern Nazzjonalista. Dan ghax triq li suppost inbniet fi tnax il-xahar b’valur ta’ xoghol ta’ Lm450,000 illum wara disghin xahar ghadha mhux lesta b’nefqa li eccediet il Lm1.2 miljuni. It-tul esagerat ta’ zmien li ittiehed sabiex jittlestew ix-xoghlijiet holqu inkonvenjent kbir ghar-residenti tar-Rabat, l-Imtarfa, Had-Dingli kif ukoll ghal dawk kollha li riedu jzuru dawn il-postijiet u l-kampanja tal-madwar kif ukoll ikkawzaw hsarat kbar fit-toroq tar-Rabat u l-Imtarfa li ntuzaw bhala alternattiva ghat-traffiku sakemm din it-triq baqghet maghluqa. Issa minflok wera ftit umilta u skuza ruhu ma n-nies ghal dan l-inkonvenjent il-ministru Mugliett ghogbu jiftahar kemm din it-triq se ttejjeb il-kwalita tal-hajja. Dan qalu l-perit Charles Buhagiar kelliemi ewlieni Laburista ghax-xoghlijiet pubblici, toroq, transport, progetti kapitali u kostruzzjoni meta kien qieghed jikkumenta fuq dak li qal il-ministru Mugliett dwar il-Bypass ta’l-Imtarfa. Fid-diskors tieghu l-ministru Mugliett qal li x-xoghol f’din it-triq tlesta. Dan mhux minnu ghax ghad jonqos element mill-aktar importanti jigifieri dawl tat-triq, Aktar minn hekk il-Ministru Mugliett ipprova jiggustifika d-dewmien fix-xoghol u n-nefqa zejda billi qal li din it-triq hi mibnija fuq it-tafal. Din id-dikjarazzjoni tal-ministru turi n-nuqqas ta’ ippjanar serju mill-Gvern ghax kulhadd jaf li din it-triq mibnija fuq it-tafal u ghalhekk ix-xoghlijiet kollhom jigu ppjanati ghal din il-kundizzjoni. Aktar minn hekk il-ministru Mugliett semma bhala skuza l-bzonn li jigu nstallati certu servizzi taht wicc it-triq. Dan ghal darba ohra juri l-bzonn tal-kordinament qabel ma jinbeda x-xoghol u kemm kienet ghaqlija d-decizjoni tal-gvern Laburista precendenti li jwaqqaf Unit ta’ Kordinament. L-inqas haga li jista jaghmel il-ministru Mugliett f`dawn ic-cirkostanzi hu li jara li x-xoghlijiet kollha jitlestew malajr kemm jista jkun u minnufih jibdew ix-xoghlijiet sabiex jergaw jinbnew it-toroq li servew bhala alternattiva ghat-traffiku fir-Rabat b’mod partikolari t-toroq periferali bhal Tabia Road, Triq Gorg Borg Olivier u Vjal il-Haddiem li tant garbu hsarat li llum jinstabu fi stat hazin hafna. ____________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP Kelliem Ewlieni Laburista Xoghlijiet Publici, Toroq, Trasport Progetti Kapitali u Kostruzzjoni Young clay pigeon shooters Back to top of page Some weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Bidnija shooting ranges which are administrated by the Maltese Shooting Federation. During this visit I was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the shooters present. In particular I was impressed by William Chetcuti who was training for his forthcoming participation in various international events. In spite that he is still young William Chetcuti is considered as being one of the successful Maltese athletes of all time. I was informed that Mr. Chetcuti took up this sport at a very young age and his complete dedication to this sport during the past years has ensured his success. I was also informed that this is a very expensive sport since one needs to spend a considerable amount of money for cartridges and clay pigeons even for training purposes. The best possibility for Malta to compete in the international sports arena is in individual sports and not in team sports since due to our population size it is easier to find one very good participation rather than several participants who make up a team. However during my visit, committee members of the Maltese Shooting Federation informed me of one particular difficulty they are facing. The Arms Act does not permit young athletes under 16 years of age to participate in this sport. This is a large drawback when one considers that children who are as young as nine years old are allowed to train and practise this sport in other countries. Obviously such athletes participate in this sport under very strict conditions. They are only allowed to practise this sport on licensed shooting ranges under the supervision of their coach and their shotgun is retained by a senior person who is responsible for its upkeep. Over the past years the Maltese Shooting Federation has been lobbying to change the present Arms Act so as to enable young shooters to participate in this sport. Indeed the Malta Olympic Committee has written to the Police Commissioner asking him to intervene in this matter. I have been informed that there are some very capable and dedicated young shooters. Indeed the Malta Olympic Committee has proposed that they participate in the Commonwealth Youth Games which are to be held in the coming months. However such participation is not possible unless these young athletes are allowed to train in this sport. For this reason I would like to appeal to government in particular minister Tonio Borg to heed the requests made by the Malta Shooting Federation so as to allow young shooters to train under strict supervision since these athletes have the potential to win medals and do us all proud. ___________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP TRAFFIKU FIL-BELT Il-Belt Valletta hi wahda mill-ftit ibliet li hawn fid-dinja li giet iddisinjatha b’mod holistiku. Naturalment fi zmien il-Kavallieri qatt ma setghu jahsbu ghat-tip u volum tat-traffiku li ghandna llum. Hi belt mahsubha ghan-nies u ghat-trasport biz-zwiemel. Illum is-sitwazzjoni inbidlet kompletament. Filwaqt li t-trasport biz-ziemel ghadu jezisti fil-belt, mieghu zdiedu l-vetturi. Spiccajna f`sitwazzjoni fejn l-ispazzji mahsubha ghan-nies bhal ma huma l-pjazzez sbieh gew ikkapparati mill-parkegg tal-vetturi. Dan il-volum qawwi ta’ vetturi qieghed iwassal mhux biss ghad-degradazzjoni tal-bini sabih izda aktar minn hekk qieghed ikollu effett negattiv fuq il-hajja u s-sahha tar-residenti tal-Belt. Sabiex din il-problema tigi ikkontrollatha hemm il-htiega li jittiehdu diversi inizzjattivi fosthom il-pedestrianisation tal-parti centrali (kummercjali) tal-Belt u l-kontroll fuq id-dhul tal-vetturi fil-Belt. Gvern Laburista matul is-snin 1996-1998 kien wettaq il-pedestrianisation ta’ Triq ir-Repubblika u Triq Zakkarija. Minn dak iz-zmien l’hawn ma ttehdux aktar inizjattivi simili. Kien ukoll inghata bidu ghat-twettieq tal-progett “Connections” li l-hsieb tieghu kien li jipprovdi mod ta transport differenti u li hu aktar “environment friendly” ghal Belt. Dan il-progett fit-totalita tieghu ukoll thalla fuq l-ixkaffa. Saru pjani biex isiru parkeggi kbar fuq il-periferija tal-Belt u dan sabiex il-vetturi ma jkollhomx bzonn jidhlu propju fic-centru. Propju issa wara kwazi ghaxar snin il-gvern qieghed jerga jikkonsidra proposta simili. Kellu jittejjeb it-Terminus tal-karozzi tal-linja u dan bhala parti mill-isforz li t-trasport pubbliku jsir aktar popolari. Minn dan ma sar xejn. Li l-gvern habbar li se jaghmel hu li jibda jintaxxa kull vettura li tidhol il-Belt (hlief dawk tar-residenti u l-familjari taghhom). Tghidu kemm ftahar b’din il-proposta u anke gab diversi reklami fil-gazzetti biex jispjega kif se tahdem din is-sistema. Qal ukoll li twahhlu cameras fid-dhul tal-Belt halli jirrekordjaw il-movimenti tal-vetturi. Qal li din is-sistema kellha tidhol fis-sehh f’Marzu ta` din is-sena (2007). Imma f`daqqa wahda skiet perfett! Tghid ghax gejjijn l-elezzjonijiet tal-kunsilli lokali? Tghid din l-iskema se tiddahhal hekk kif jghaddu l-elezzjonijiet? Tghid dan is-skiet hu manuvra politika biex minghalihom ma jurtawx lil dawk l’eluf ta persuni li huma kostretti jidhlu bil-vettura taghhom il-Belt kuljum. Nistennew u naraw wara l-10 ta Marzu. Incidenti fatali fuq siti ta’kostruzzjoni L-incidenti gravi uhud minnhom fatali li sehhew matul dawn l-ahhar gimghat fuq diversi siti ta’ kostruzzjoni jindikaw li la l-awtoritajiet u lanqas l-istakeholders fl-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni mhuma jaghtu bizzejjed attenzjoni li s-sigurta fuq siti ta’ kostruzzjoni. Dan qalu l-perit Charles Buhagiar, kelliem ewlieni Laburista ghax-Xoghlijiet Pubblici, Toroq, Trasport Pubbliku, Progetti Kapitali u Kostruzzjoni meta kein qieghed jikkumenta dwar l-ahhar incident fatali fuq sit ta’ kostruzzjoni li fih tilfu hajjithom zewg haddiema. Illum meta l-progetti ta’ kostruzzjoni qeghdin isiru fuq skala akbar u ta’ aktar kumplessita, wiehed jippretendi li l-awtoritajiet jillegislaw u jinfurzaw ir-regolamenti sabiex jaccertaw li r-riskji waqt ix-xoghjol ta’ kostruzzjoni kemm ghal haddiema involuti kif ukoll ghal terzi jkun minimizzat. L-istrutturi sabiex dan isir jezistu u gew imwaqqfa apposta minn amministrazzjoni Laburista precendenti propju ghal dan il-ghan. Twaqqaf il-Kunsill Konsultattiv dwar l-Industrija tal-Bini (BICC) li jipprovdi forum sabiex l-istakehoders kollha f’din l-industrija jiddiskutu l-problemi bhal ma hi dik dwar sigurta fuq il-lantrijiet ta’ x-xoghol u wara johorgu b’rakkomandazzjonijiet u proposti ghall-konsiderazzjoni tal-gvern. Inholoq ukoll id-dipartiment ghall-Industrija tal-Bini (Building Construction Industry Department) li ghandu rwol li jara li jeduka u jinforza r-regolamenti tal-bini. Imbaghad l-Awtorita dwar is-Sahha u s-Sigurta fuq il-post tax-xoghol trid timmonitorja t-thaddim tar-regolamenti. Madankollu jidher li mhux qedghin jittiehdu bizzejjed inizjattivi sabiex is-sigurta fuq siti ta’ kostruzzjoni titjieb. Dan qieghed jigri ghax il-gvern Nazzjonalista mhux jaghti l-prijorita misthoqqa u lanqas mhu qieghed jinbotta legislazzjoni serja f’dan il-qasam. Aktar minnhekk id-dipartimenti u l-entitajiet koncernati mhux qedghin jinghataw bizzejjed rizorsi biex iwettqu r-rwol taghhom b’mod effettiv. Filwaqt li turi s-sobgha u s-solidarjeta mall-familjari tal-vittmi ta’ dawn l-incidenti l-Oppozijoni Laburista theggeg lil gvern sabiex jaghti attenzjoni specjali li s-sigurta fuq is-siti ta’ kostruzzjoni, jimplimenta u jinforza l-mizuri mehtiega sabiex ma jergax ikollna incidenti fatali f’din l-industrija li hi tant importanti ghall-pajjizna. ________________________ Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP Kelliem Ewlieni Laburista