Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1470553
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JUNE 2022 12 OPINION Shifting the blame off their shoulders SOLIDARITY with all the fam- ilies living in Main Street, Mo- sta who have suffered and are still suffering as a result of the works that have been going on for a long time in the mentioned street. I hope the authorities will re- alise that the residents who live in that area are suffering from health problems as a con- sequence of the dust, odours and noise which they are being exposed to. In this regard it is worth mentioning the nailing work behind the doors of the residents that has been going on in these past weeks. If the au- thorities are truly interested in people, they will go knocking on their houses to see a number of cracks in their walls. In Parliamentary Question Number 499, I asked the Minis- ter for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital projects whether he will consider offering compen- sation for damages caused to Mosta residents and business- es. His wordy response did not answer my question. After the never-ending response, he asked me to specify what type of dam- ages I was referring to. However, it is good for Mosta residents to know that the minister stated that: "Residents and business- es in this road will be enjoying better infrastructure." What a good response for those who for months have found themselves stuck in their houses, especially our elderly! Residents who tried taking ac- tion on the damages could not understand who was going to take responsibility for this whole issue. This is because, as we saw from the reply to the parliamen- tary question, there is an attempt at shifting the blame off their shoulders. A source who spoke to me personally told me that the new works being undertaken on the mentioned road were the respon- sibility of the Local Council. The order of new works of construc- tion of culverts was given from the Council. In fact, the residents received a letter dated 21 May 2022 from the Local Council. In the meantime, another resi- dent spoke with the Local Coun- cil and was advised that Infra- structure Malta was appointed to do the original works and the Lo- cal Council simply asked Infra- structure Malta to increase the works on the culverts, which the council had to pay for. A spokes- person for the council confirmed this and added that the contrac- tor appointed by Infrastructure Malta should be responsible for the works and damages. I repeat, and this is why it is frustrating for residents: this is a case of shifting blame off their shoulders. Publicly, and in the names of residents, I am requesting a copy of the permit for the original works and the permit for the in- frastructural changes which were decided lately. This type of work needs: a new permit issued by the Planning Authority, a pre-works survey conducted by the archi- tect of the contractor of every property found on the street, a commencement notice with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the method statement of how the works will be carried out, and a geotechni- cal survey or a declaration by the responsible architect stating that there is no need for a geotech- nical survey so that in that way, they will be held responsible for any damages sustained by third parties. I would appreciate it if someone from the authorities (in fact I sent this article to the Mosta Local Council and also to Infrastructure Malta) could con- firm if all of this has been done. Some residents have already tried to contact the BCA and they were told by the desk officer that the works of Infrastructure Malta are considered 'roadworks' and therefore do not concern the BCA. The law applies equally for everyone! I also requested a confirmation that (i) the works are covered by the reputable security of the con- tractor together with Infrastruc- ture Malta and (ii) the damages which occurred or may occur as a result of these works will be covered. The pavement on the side of Triq l-Isperanza has been dam- aged by the machinery used. In this regard I ask again whether the minister considers granting compensation to the residents who have suffered from these damages. I hope that the minister does not find any more excuses. In this article and even through a detailed correspondence, I showed him the damages which Mosta residents have suffered. Infrastructure Malta and the local councils should set an ex- ample for all the citizens. In or- der for a resident to commission a cherry-picker or a high-up, he has to guarantee to the local council that no damages will be caused to the pavement, while on the other hand in the case under examination, it does not seem that there are any guarantees! In the case that there is, I am re- questing a copy of the guarantee of these works being carried out in Main Street, Mosta. Finally, I would like to address all of the businesses in this road. I do not have to mention why these businesses have suffered, but there is a particular business which I frequently pass in front of and notice that the salesman is all alone. Like him, there are others. There are also some who started ou their business in the worst period possible due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and are now facing this disastrous situa- tion. Residents of the area know exactly what I am saying. I hope that this does not remain a case of blame-shifting and with respect to the residents, a solu- tion is found as soon as possible rather than churn out some emp- ty words which lead us nowhere. Ivan Bartolo Ivan Bartolo is PN spokesman for social accomodation Residents who tried taking action on the damages could not understand who was going to take responsibility for this whole issue. This is because, as we saw from the reply to the parliamentary question, there is an attempt at shifting the blame off their shoulders