That’s what lift shafts are for around the rest of the planet. But then, those cranes are latest generation, self stabilising and capable of hoisting themselves up the floors as works proceed.

That renders practically all the local ones redundant.

Not that they aren’t already, it’s become normal practice to leave them standing rather than risk having them certified in dire need of major mechanical refurbishment, before erecting them elsewhere.

Thank goodness their reach can go around a number of blocks then. We’re asking for it.

Now if that contradicts Muscat’s promise li jhallihom jahdmu, fuq min jaqa’ jkun sultan.

Some councils contribute by irrationally permitting the erection of cranes in places where they cause the most traffic havoc. For example why permit a crane to be erected at the foot of Triq is-Sorijiet, St. Julian’s, at Mrabat Street right at the entrance to the most notorious bottleneck in the Sliema/St. Julian’s area?

Why can’t there be a rule that any developer who needs a crane must erect it within the property boundaries rather than on public land?

I think we all missed the newsflash. From the way they have embarked on a Big Government exercise and the way they have created positions for all those who gave a hand in the electoral campaign, it looks as if they struck oil somewhere.

I am expecting him to camouflage himself as a black African immigrant.

This way he will also establish what problems the immigrants face on public transport.

I’m not sure you live here in Malta, Paul. If yes, you KNOW that all Labour ministers, candidates, officials etc are all SO down-to-earth – really!

It’s partly the reason why Labour is so popular with the ‘average’ Maltese voter: “Taf kemm hu minn taghna hux. Dak bahbuh” (until elected).

Besides, they are all oh-so-liberal-modern-and-progressive. They have even sponsored, for the first time, the Gay Pride parade.