Da ma jafx daqs Estrid imma, ta!
The Times, Wednesday, 18 February
Talking Point
The man is perfectly right!
Robert Musumeci
Richard Cachia Caruana is on record stating that the decision taken by the government to abandon the €14 million EU-funded St John’s Co-Cathedral museum project is sad. His reasoning is backed by the fact that technical decisions should be taken by professionals.
When, in my professional capacity as a conservation architect engaged to advise the Valletta local council on the project, I was asked by the media to give my initial reactions, I said that high consideration must be given to Structure Plan policy ARC 2 (which places a presumption against development within the buffer zone of sensitive archaeological sites) and policy ARC 3 (which does not allow development if it is likely to adversely affect ancient monuments).
However, I was careful to highlight that, at that stage, it was still premature to discredit the proposal in the absence of a properly-conducted environmental impact assessment. At that point I had suggested to the Valletta council to adopt a precautionary approach and await the outcome of the EIA before committing itself with a position in favour or against the project.
The methodology of works involving vibrations was yet unknown and it was not certain whether the established minimum peak particle velocities imposed by heritage standards were to be respected. One could not state with certainty whether structural damage was likely to be caused to the co-cathedral and its environs.
Given the indications that the underground environs consisted of a complex archaeological site, it was equally prudent to establish whether the extent of works was likely to affect any underground structures, which, according to available dossiers, could possibly form a network of storm water (and possibly change the underground drainage pattern of Valletta). This could be achieved if a geotechnical survey was conducted as part of the EIA process. It was also important to consider how the business and social community were about to be affected during the operation of works should the project have taken off.
I also wanted to enquire whether the project made good economic sense in relation to enhancing the heritage value of Valletta. It was important to note a priori whether visitors could have been discouraged if they were aware that part of the original context had been sacrificed in constructing the underground space or whether the number of visitors would increase if it were known the site had been actually improved.
I also insisted that a full set of detailed drawings and representations of how the proposed excavation works interrelate with the existing underground infrastructure be available in order to enable a full and informed debate on any alternatives.
A final decision also warranted a study indicating whether there were any other options available (in terms of construction and funding). In this way, one could weigh the short-term requirements and aspirations (including costs) against the long-term expectations in order to avoid the need to make further dramatic alterations to such a very sensitive setting.
As in normal circumstances, the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation was directed to conduct an EIA. If the overall outcome of the EIA was negative, my next step would have been to recommend to the Valletta local council to take a stand against the project.
It transpires that, in this case, a parliamentary motion was presented, asking the government to abandon the project before the terms of reference regulating the EIA were even compiled! The motion was driven by the pretext that the “considered many” were not in favour of the idea.
The right for an applicant to submit a planning application (of whatever nature) and have a fair planning process has been highly prejudiced. This saga has set a negative precedent, which could possibly see more public undertakings turned down limitedly on the basis of public outrage. This is sad! Very sad indeed.
Mr Cachia Caruana is perfectly right.
Mr Musumeci, who holds a Masters degree in conservation technology for masonry buildings, is architect to the Valletta local council.
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You should see what they are commenting on http://www.timesofmalta.com, the idiots.
I wonder how many remember the award given to Astrid Vella by SOS Malta (see Times report). I bet Dr Gonzi and the PN are kicking themselves now.
Life is full of ironies: the Director of SOS Malta is Mgr. Philip Calleja.
Thursday, 6th November 2008
FAA co-founder named Volunteer of the Year
Astrid Vella, one of the founders of the environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), won the first Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by SOS Malta. She was handed a trophy designed by young sculptor Damien Darmanin in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Dr Gonzi praised the award organisers, saying this was an expression of the value of volunteering. He said Malta had a “treasure” in its great number of volunteers. Ms Vella called for the setting up of a state-funded centre for NGOs, which would save the organisations, expenses on rent that could be better used elsewhere. SOS Malta also pushed for an NGO centre, especially for those smaller organisations that needed to be assisted.
The selection board for the award was made up of seven young people involved in different aspects of society. The chairman of the selection board, Alan Deidun, said there had been 11 nominees. The winner was chosen according to the established criteria that were motivation, self-sacrifice, dedication, effectiveness and the value of the activities organised in society.
Ms Vella will now travel to Strasbourg as Malta’s nominee for the European Volunteer of the Year Award 2008. She said her award reflected the importance that needs to be given to the environment. Despite being a volunteer for only two and a half years, together with her organisation, she managed to achieve many results through hard work, research and balanced arguments. The award ceremony was hosted by SOS Malta chairman Lilian Miceli Farrugia in her Ta’ Xbiex home. SOS Malta announced it had just received approval for a €1 million project sponsored by the EU.
The other nominees were Maria Delicata, Maria Annunzot Attard, Doris Cusens, Desiree Falzon, Grace Borg, Gloria Bugeja, Christine Brincat, Kenneth Abela, Jean Paul Fenech and Valerie Agius. The Nationalist Party congratulated Ms Vella and praised all volunteers who give up their time and energy to non-governmental organisations.
[Daphne – They have nothing to kick themselves about. Astrid Vella was nominated, and was chosen by a board of young people who were entirely independent of SOS Malta. In fact, Claudia Taylor East of SOS Malta pointedly told the prime minister and assembled guests, at the party when the award was presented, that “SOS Malta did NOT choose the winner.” The prime minister was very gracious and even managed to smile when handing it over. The Nationalist Party could not afford to avoid congratulating her – through gritted teeth.]
kemm hadtuha gewwa ras.
Graham C
Comments about Astrid Vella?
@Tonio Farrugia –
You want another irony? Guess who is high up on the list of founder members of FAA: Cynthia de Giorgio.
Published T.O.M. 4/03/2006. See FAA website.
[Daphne – There you are, then. No wonder Astrid’s got it in for her.]
imma dan jaf.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090218/local/parliament-to-debate-illegal-immigration
… u dan.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090218/local/pl-urges-electoral-commission-to-take-ballot-box-to-cyprus
Although he’s a friend of mine, Robert has got himself into a bit of a mess lately when he sued someone for taking his photograph with a MEPA board member just before an important vote on a particular development was about to take place. So a bit like Pullicino Orlando, his credibility is rather dented to say the least.
Ethel, http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090211/local/st-johns-museum-project-to-be-dropped
Mary Fisher
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY IN MALTA!!!!!!!!! I AM SO GLAD THAT AT LONG LAST THE POWERS THAT BE HAVE WOKEN UP AND SMELT THE COFFEE. I AM SURE THAT EVEN ST. JOHN WILL BE CELEBRATING IN HEAVEN.
Anthony Pace Gouder (6 days, 6 hours ago)
All the credit in succeeding TO STOP this PROJECT is attributed to FUNDEMANTILIST VIEWS as labeled by Mr. J. Micallef, belonging to:-
1) Astrid Vella (Awarded and Honoured Internationally)
2) 1,500 Maltese Citizens (Petitioners)
3) Partit Laburista (Total)
4) PL motion in PARLIAMENT (34 MPs.)
5) Archbishop of Malta ( Curia ++)
& 6) The PN MPs (JPO PLUS OTHERS !!!)
Who thought the MALTESE were divided on this issue ?
Mike Magri (6 days, 10 hours ago)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
For me and MANY, MANY Others, this Retreat shows nothing else, but the Very Wise and Intelligent Political Strategy with which the Labour Party, under the Leadership of Dr. Joseph Muscat, COULD and WILL ACHIEVE RESULTS for the Benefit of ALL, Maltese and Gozitans alike,.. EVEN from the seats of the Opposition…
Under such a Wise and Intelligent Political and Strategical Move by the Labour Party Opposition, the GonziPN Government had NOTHING… Absolutely NOTHING else to do, BUT, (thank God), to perform yet Another Political U-TURN, and save our beloved City of Valletta, from yet another `a la` PN Government DISTRUCTIVE Project, the likes of City Gate..
The GonziPN Government, Clearly showed an ADMISSAL of litteraly having their backs FLAT to the wall, with the Very Wise and Intelligent Opposition Motion… Consequently, they just had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING else to do do, but to CONCEDE DEFEAT and RETREAT from the debate, which i am More than sure could have Easily caused Gonzi`s PN government fall down…
Obviously,Gonzi & `Friends`, will now TRY their guts out, to TRY to MAKE us ALL BELEIVE, that even them were always(!!!!) against this project….!!!!!!HALLUNA…….MHUX…HEKK…!!!!!!!!!
Haaaa….!!Haaaa…!!!Haaaaa…!!! WHAT A JOKE………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD WORK JOSEPH…….KEEP IT UP…… …
…………………………………….
I blame this on the drug Dealers, Acid is one hell of a drug.
Graham C.
Thank you. What a sad story it has turned out to be but I am optimistic the project might go through some time in the near future hopefully. What a waste of time though.