Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1186350
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 NOVEMBER 2019 3 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI HEAVY rainfall hit Malta on Tuesday, in- stantly flooding various locations where wider roads had been newly built, and mak- ing it impossible for pedestrians to walk on pavements without being drenched by passing cars. Various reports received by MaltaToday from commuters showed major flooding in areas such as in Qormi, Pembroke, Birzeb- buga and San Gwann. In San Gwann, outside MaltaToday's of- fices, the newly-widened road had gathered rainwater beneath the pavement, making it impossible for public transport commuters to stand in the bus station without being drenched by passing cars. But asked to explain how such new roads – part of Labour's much vaunted electoral promise – could have not catered for water run-off, Infrastructure Malta CEO Fredrick Azzopardi claimed that better water man- agement was not always possible in Mal- tese roads. "Where possible, water culverts are be- ing installed so as to divert water from the roads and reduce flooding," Azzopardi said. "[But] this is not always possible due to the development surrounding roads. "In coastal areas such as in Sliema, water catchment facilities are already in place, but due to the dense development, when large volumes of water are collected, the facilities cannot cope." Azzopardi said that run-off water can al- ways be expected in low-lying areas such as Qormi. "While we are doing the best we can to provide better water management, these areas will always be prone to flood- ing," Azzopardi said. He also said that Tuesday's heavy rainfall may have caused certain drainage systems to be blocked due to debris carried by the water. New roads but no culverts: waterlogged roads make walking hell for pedestrians MASSIMO COSTA ENGINEERS are up in arms over proposed changes to the law regu- lating their profession, warning that the amendments could end up put- ting the safety of the public in jeop- ardy. Recently proposed changes to the Engineering Profession Act will mean that any unqualified and un- trained legal persons – meaning practically any company or indi- vidual – will be allowed to carry out engineering services. Previously, such services could on- ly be carried out by engineers, who would ensure that any engineering work done – such as that involving the power station or water service provisions – is carried out in such a way as to guarantee the general pub- lic was safeguarded. The Chamber's president, Dan- iel Micallef, said the public would be negatively impacted by the pro- posed changes, such industries, companies or contractors could choose unqualified persons to carry out certain work – instead of trained engineers – so as to cut capital costs. "With the amendments, the door has been opened for anyone to offer such services," Micallef said. "The biggest concern is about the health and safety of the public. En- gineers are involved in work to en- sure the safety of the general public – they work in the power station, water service corporation, and other areas related to the public." "If the changes go ahead, there can be services which affect the safety of the public in which no engineer- ing professionals are involved at any stage to ensure the people are safe- guarded," he emphasised. Another issue, the engineers high- lighted is that legal persons carrying out such engineering services would not require to have professional in- demnity insurance. "We can come to a situation where a contractor, to avoid using a pro- fessional and avoiding the fee, can choose to use someone, who might be a charlatan, to carry out the ser- vices, and the public will have noth- ing to ensure that they are receiving the service they deserve through the safeguard offered by professional indemnity insurance," Micallef said. Micallef said that after having been presented with an early draft of the proposed changes in June and hav- ing given their feedback, they were last week sent the proposals again, with very little of their input taken on board. He said that the changes to the law were being instigated by the Euro- pean Commission, which had a set a deadline of mid-December for member states to reflect the neces- sary amendments in their legisla- tion. The Chamber has informed the government of its viewpoints, and in light of its position, has requested an extension to the deadline in order to allow time for a wider discussion on the issues and for an agreement to be reached. "Our message is clear – we want our profession to be respected, and we want the general public to be re- spected because these amendments will directly involve the people," Mi- callef said. Asked whether the changes could have proposed to appease the con- struction industry, he said that while the Chamber had heard such rumours, the information it had was that the amendments were being demanded by the EU. "Without a doubt, as they are, they could lead to abuse by certain con- tractors and certain entities," Mi- callef acknowledged. Public safety at risk, engineers warn about new law Roads agency boss Frederick Azzopardi says water culverts not possible on all roads due to development surrounding them