Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1490342
8 OPINION 19.1.2023 A country rich in serenity and wellness George Mangion George Mangion is a senior partner at PKF, an audit and consultancy firm, and has over 25 years' experience in accounting, taxation, financial and consultancy services. His efforts have made PKF instrumental in establishing many companies in Malta and established PKF as a leading professional financial service provider on the Island O n the occasion of the pa- pal visit last year, Presi- dent George Vella made a heartfelt plea for all Maltese to protect the environment. In his erudite words, he exclaimed that our planet is sick, angry and tired. "Yet we keep ignoring its manifest signs of environmental degrada- tion, climate change and exploita- tion of its resources". In turn, Pope Francis advised the ruling party to never cede in its vigil to fight cor- ruption, foster honesty in politics and stop unbridled construction and land speculation. Did we heed his words? Not exactly as more highrise and up- market hotels /residences have been sanctioned and the race to build higher and wider continues unabated. His Holiness did not mince words… the windswept islands of St Paul must rekindle their conscience to protect the civil society inculcating honesty, justice, a sense of duty and trans- parency. Is it a pie in the sky for this tiny island to eliminate illegality and corruption? He reminded Pres- ident Vella, that the proverbial north winds that sweep the coast can be quoted as a reminder of our integral resolve to achieve a serene existence. He invoked a message of legality and trans- parency to the people when he visited the Grandmaster Palace at the invitation of President Vel- la. Tales of rapacious greed and avarice revealed by independent press serve as a warning that the tolerance of honest people has its limits. In other countries protestors took to the streets. His mes- sage to a young generation is to continue protecting the environ- ment and fight for the promo- tion of social justice. A persis- tent level of impunity paves the way for unhealthy politics ush- ering a feeling of nonchalance in an unhealthy cocktail particu- larly among the Millennias. e protection of our heritage espe- cially land believed to have been inhabited by Bronze Age ances- tors seem very lax. Let us quote an example. Din l-Art Helwa has called for the intervention of the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage and for the Planning Authority concerning an application by a developer to remove the top soil on a three tumoli site in Tal Wej, Mosta - a hallowed ground host- ing bronze age remains. e site is located outside the develop- ment zone in the outskirts of San Pawl Tat-Targa and the archaeo- logical investigation is being pro- posed by the owner of the land. In the past, Mosta residents breathed a sigh of relief after many years of protest when the tomb area at Tal Wej currently lying in ruins was finally sched- uled by PA. anks for the en- vironmentalists who lobbied un- sung and unaided for years they succeeded (so far) to protect this sacred burial ground in Mosta from the ravages of demolition and building works. However, a development permit was issued by PA for a massive building project of showrooms, flats and basement garages in an area known as il-Wesgha tal-Gganti, in the road next to the Lidl supermarket, and just opposite the entrance to MCAST. e Superintendent of Cultural Heritage proclaimed that the site itself had low ar- chaeological value saying that he cannot afford to protect all areas within the approved develop- ment plan as this will be tanta- mount to classifying the entire spatial plan as "fossil" Malta. But residents disagree saying that if we ignore precautions and send in excavators to dig up ancestor tombs, crush dolmens and cata- combs, in the end we destroy our heritage and all this will eventu- ally turn the island into a jungle of glass and concrete structures - a soul less island. is saga begs the question - what is the cost of protecting of our heritage from overzealous developers and can the benefits of commercial exploitation of such land ever outweigh the loss of our patrimony? In his New Year's Eve public message, Prime Minister Rob- ert Abela proclaimed that his government's primary objective has been to guarantee "peace of mind that our country is moving in the right direction". He has re- peatedly described life in Malta as "serene", with people who live here enjoying "peace of mind", describing a utopia in the Med. Enthusiastically, he spoke of the healthy economy and posi- tive forecasts by the internation- al rating agencies. Listening to him warms your heart. He is full of positive posturing and augurs that Malta is harnessing its eco- nomic growth to ensure every citizen will be able to live a bet- ter life, in a caring society, and a more beautiful country that of- fers the very best quality of life. Rightly so, the Pope cautions us to slow unbridled construc- tion and land speculation yet on the contrary, both the con- struction and hotel lobbies ask for more heritage land to face the steel blades of bulldozers and diggers. Derelict land in ODZ does not pay taxes or stamp duty but when developed into luxury hotel towers or offices, it yields a windfall of state taxes while de- velopers stoke millions in hide- away escrows in the Gulf states. Yet, we cannot complain. ere is a general consensus that Mal- tese households and business- es fared relatively well in 2022 when compared to the two-year deprivations suffered by many others during the pandemic. ere is a healthy prognosis that Malta is expected to start grow- ing economically and the GDP to advance and reach 3.4 per cent at constant prices in 2027. Naturally, no commentary into the present market condi- tions can avoid discussing ener- gy prices. Malta's energy prices have stayed stable since the crisis began, shielding local businesses and households from the bloc's inflationary pressures. Still, allow me to identify some un- comfortable realities that need to be addressed. e fly in the ointment is the blanket subsidy for energy and grain imports. is does not encourage cutting waste on the contrary, it increas- es levels of inequality since the rich benefit at the same rate as the low-income cohorts. I will end this article by again quoting Pope Francis' words during his short visit last year. "Malta must therefore be kept safe from rapacious greed, from avarice and from construction speculation, which compromis- es not only the landscape but the very future. Instead, the pro- tection of the environment and the promotion of social justice must prepare us for the future, and find optimal ways to instil in young people a passion for a healthy politics. In the end, pray to God that it shields them from the temptation to indiffer- ence and lack of commitment". Amen. President George Vella (right) with Pope Francis during the papal visit to Malta in 2022