Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1477650
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 31 AUGUST 2022 NEWS NEWS LUKE VELLA POLICE have evicted eight people from five apartments at the Okella Agius public housing complex in Ħamrun. In an operation carried out in Qormi Road by the Rapid Inter- vention Unit and the Housing Au- thority, the people were evicted for squatting. According to TVM, some of those evicted have a criminal history and allegedly one apartment was being rented out to third parties. It was re- ported that the eviction was ordered by the court, after it was established that individuals were living illegal- ly in the apartments, and had been warned since the beginning of the year that they had no right to live there. According to TVM, some of the evicted were living in the apart- ments, despite having a different address listed on their identity card. The Housing Authority is assist- ing the individuals by offering them rent subsidies. Minister condemns abuse On Facebook, Social Accommo- dation Minister Roderick Galdes confirmed that a number of people were evicted from the public hous- ing block. "I always emphasised that it would be a disservice to the public if we let anyone abuse of public assets, in- tentioned for those in need." Galdes said that in recent years, the enforcement unit with the Housing Authority has been bolstered. "Whoever believes in social justice cannot tolerate abuse," Galdes said. Police evict eight people squatting in Hamrun public housing apartments Squatters were allegedly living illegally in five apartments, one of which was being rented out to third parties THE Nationalist Party proposed that e-scooter users are required to obtain a dedicated driving li- cence, use a helmet, and are sub- ject to a penalty point system. In a statement PN said that it studied solutions that were im- plemented in foreign countries which have the most efficient transport systems in the world, implementing them for the local context. "The government lacks a vision that integrates different modes of transport on our roads, resulting in an infrastructure and public transport of an inadequate level," PN said. They said that the two major infrastructural problems that the country faces when it comes to micro mobility are the lack of parking spaces and the lack of en- forcement. In a list of proposals published on Tuesday, the PN said opera- tors should verify that e-scooter users have a valid driving licence, specifically for the e-scooters. It would be in the AM category for those aged between 16 and 18 and in any category for those aged 18 and over. They suggested that a mobile phone app is developed, allowing people to report faulty scooters or those illegally parked, with the operators being responsible to remove them within a stipulated time, after abuse is verified. The enforcement agencies should have a right to confiscate e-scooters that breach parking laws, with the operators having to pay a fine before the scooter is returned, said the PN. It also proposed that e-scoot- ers should have visible registra- tion plates and that the scooters should be designed to be more visible. The PN also wants a system of 'presumed liability' adopted for the e-scooter drivers, to protect people in distress, and vulnerable and disabled people. It suggested that awareness campaigns on e-scooter rules and their legislation should be launched, and that rigorous stud- ies are carried out to identify the areas where it is permissible to drive them. "From this study, a list should be drawn up of all roads, pavements and promenades where they can be currently driven safely, whilst limiting or prohibiting the use of e-scooters on pavements and in certain areas following the rele- vant studies." Parking areas dedicated to e-scooters, with e-scooter racks and charging stations should be set up, said PN. It said that the use of helmets should be enforced, with the parking areas equipped with hel- mets for the e-scooter users. The PN proposed that the num- ber of registered rental e-scoot- ers should be proportional to the number of e-scooter park- ing spaces around Malta and Gozo. "A justified increase in the threshold of registered e-scooters will be allowed depending on the demand and number of parking areas that can be designated." Fines are to be paid directly by the operators, who are then lia- ble to collect money from the in- fringing users, said the PN. It also proposed that fines are issued for overspeeding, with non-intrusive speed limit trackers installed on the e-scooters. The PN also suggested the im- plementation of a penalty points system for e-scooter users, which would be linked with the vehicle point system. As per this propos- al, users who do not own a per- sonal vehicle would be subject to a separate points system. The statement was signed by six PN MPs, Consumer Rights spokesperson Rebekah Cilia, Transport spokesperson Adrian Delia, Inclusion spokesperson Graziella Galea, Climate Change spokesperson Eve Borg Bonello, Equality spokesperson Graziella Attard Previ and Environment spokesperson Janice Chetcuti. PN proposes driving licence, mandatory helmets and penalty point system for e-scooters The scene in Hamrun on Tuesday as police turned up to evict eight people from five apartments