Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1369939
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 MAY 2021 NEWS RECRUITMENT OF OFFICIALS within the Regional Councils CULTURAL OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 234/2021 PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 236/2021 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 235/2021 Applications are being received by the Regional Councils for the above positions. Further details on the application and job description can be obtained by sending an email on spi.localgov@gov.mt Selected applicants will be required, inter alia, to fulfi l the responsibilities as required by the respective Regional Council as part of their ongoing support and commitment in their functions and in assisting Local Councils in the carrying out of their respective responsibilities to improve wellbeing in the community. The closing date for the applications is Monday, 31st May 2021 by 12:00hrs. FUNDS ADMINISTRATION OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 231/2021 WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 233/2021 ICT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 232/2021 Can newcomer Volt charge Maltese politics? KARL AZZOPARDI IT'S always a bleak outlook for third parties looking in from the outside of Malta's duopoly. But pan-European newcomer Volt hopes to give the Maltese electorate a taste of progressive politics which "further human rights and democratisation," says Volt Malta president Ar- nas Lasys. "Our policies will strive to bring a positive change in Mal- ta on a number of social issues, like its approach to the econo- my, digitisation and even the environment," Lasys, 24, said. He has lived in Malta since the age of four in Mġarr. His national affiliate for Volt Europa this week obtained for- mal enrollment with the Elec- toral Commission, making its the 16th national formation for Volt. Lasys is however still seek- ing candidates for the election. But given the history of third-party politics in Malta since the late 1980s, he is al- ready tempering hopes of rep- resentation. "It's a long-term project. Our objective is not to win seats, but to push for pos- itive change... It's worth the try. Even by participating, and shifting the national debate on a number of issues towards what we stand for, is already a victory." Although still on the lookout for candidates, Lasys says Volt is aiming to place a candidate on each electoral district, apart from running on local and Eu- ropean elections. "We will not shy away from the challenge. Volt Europa has participated in local and general elections in other European elections, and we did manage to elect candi- dates," he said. "We have even managed to enter into coalition governments in some regions." Unlike parties on the ecolog- ical left like ADPD, or Malta's tiny clutch of far-right groups, Lasys says Volt does not sub- scribe to a certain ideology. "We want to develop our polic- es on what stakeholders tell us, to push for what is best for the country and her people." The party claims to be Malta's first pro-choice party, that it will base policies on "best-prac- tice... not ideology and pop- ulism", and that it is in favour of further European democrati- sation reform. He claims Volt has received mixed reactions on its an- nouncement that it will enter Maltese politics. "People told us they finally have a party they would vote for, and that we are a breath of fresh air in the coun- try's political scene. There was also negative feedback from the more conservative voices, but that was expected." Volt Malta president Arnas Lasys: "It's a long-term project..." NGOs balk at Calypso makeover JAMES DEBONO THE Environment and Resources Authority is calling on the Gozo ministry to "downscale" a 44sq.m 'interpretation centre' and souve- nir shop atop Gozo's fabled Ca- lypso cave, limiting the size to the existing public convenience it is set to replace. The proposed centre will in- clude sanitary facilities on the promontory overlooking Ramla l-Ħamra, apart from new walk- ways and the "consolidation of the friable rock face." Whilst having "no major con- cerns" on the project itself, the environmental watchdog said the centre should be contained within the footprint of the existing struc- tures. It requested a geotechnical study by experienced geologists and engineers on any potential adverse effects from stabilization works. "This will ensure the site is preserved with minimal and discrete interventions and at the same time manage to enhance the protection of the geological features from natural erosion." ERA wants discrete alternatives to bolts and wire mesh in stabi- lization works, and to pave the concrete stairs in local limestone. Din l-Art Helwa also expressed its concern. "Such development will alter the ecologically sensitive area, while drastically increasing daily users and vehicular traf- fic. Such formalization may set a precedent for more development within this environmentally sen- sitive site." The Archaeological Society warned that further commer- cialisation will "encourage more development around this beauty spot." The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage insisted the area derived its value "primarily from its relatively pristine condition", which it said should be kept. The Gozo ministry insists re- cent rock instability had led to the collapse of part of the cave, and that the works are primarily in- tended to consolidate the friable rock face and remove the existing danger.