Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1504697
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JULY 2023 NEWS FROM unbridled construction to mass importation of foreign workers; from traffic to the cost of living, residents of Labour stronghold Żurrieq are increas- ingly becoming disenchanted with government's policies. This is the feeling transmitted by several residents when Mal- taToday went to Żurrieq to ask about their experiences with the power cuts that had hit the locality especially hard. Off camera, nearly all those who spoke to this newspaper had strong words onthe state of the locality and the country. Construction Construction is a big concern for Żurrieq residents. Although the locality is relatively free from large developments, this may soon change. In June 2023, the Planning Authority unanimously ap- proved a zoning application that would allow the develop- ment of an 11,590sq.m plot of farmland in the Nigret area. The approval was given in de- fiance of public outcry in the locality. This development, whose ar- chitect is none other than for- mer planning minister George Pullicino, has brought together a number of Żurrieq residents who promised to fight on. The land in question was add- ed to the development zone in the extension of building boundaries carried out in 2006. But a zoning application was still a requirement to deter- mine what kind of develop- ment can be allowed. The permit still needs the en- dorsement of Planning Minis- ter Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who was elected on the Żur- rieq district in the last election. Zrinzo Azzopardi, along with Environment Minister Miriam Dalli have faced backlash from the residents for their silence on the development. "The development in Nigret is not the only project threat- ening our village," one resident told this newspaper. In fact, an- other development in Nigret, whose architect is Labour Party Deputy Leader Daniel Micallef had also been approved by the Planning Authority, while two other developments have been approved within the vicinity of the Nigret area. "They say they want to invest millions in open spaces and then let these atroc- ities happen. What a joke," the resident said, referencing government's pledge to invest €700 million in green, open spaces. This anger is not only direct- ed towards the current Labour government, as a number of residents told MaltaToday that their trust in politicians has faded, reflecting a trend no- ticed in a number of surveys conducted by this newspaper. The last survey which was published in July showed that 22.6% of the electorate said that they would not vote if an election was to be held the fol- lowing day. "You never know when you might wake up and be sur- rounded by cranes," another resident said, noting that if no action is taken, Żurrieq risks losing its charm. Too much foreign workers Many Żurrieq residents who spoke to MaltaToday com- plained about a number of con- sequences brought about by the current economic model, which has increased the popu- lation in Malta by about 100,00 people in a decade. Referring to the recent pow- er cuts, one resident told this newspaper, "what did they ex- pect?" "There are too many peo- ple and we didn't prepare for them," he added. When asked about what he thinks of government's claims that the power cuts had noth- ing to do with a surging de- mand for energy, he replied: "Who are they trying to fool?" (B'min qed jippruvaw jitnejj- ku?) Two residents sitting togeth- er in Żurrieq's main square expressed their concern about the number of workers that need to be imported, noting that "it's never enough!" One of them said the impor- tation of foreign workers years ago to boost the economy was acceptable at the time, "but the limit was surpassed long ago." Another man started ranting to MaltaToday about a wide variety of issues. Saying that he was a staunch Labour support- er for his entire life, he spoke of regret over how things turned out after 2013. "They tricked me, but I won't be fooled again." Anger and frustration dominate Labour stronghold Zurrieq It was supposed to be a simple vox pop asking Żurrieq residents about the impact of the power cuts but it turned out to be one long confession on the Labour government's ills. MATTHEW FARRUGIA reports The Marsaskala parish administers the grounds of Villa Manduca that include the chapel of the Holy Rosary (inset) The Zurrieq constituency office (left)of Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi was targeted by anonymous residents as part of an ongoing campaign against the development of a large tract of land in Nigret (below) Labour deputy leader Daniel Micallef (right) is the architect of a development in the Nigret area that has caused consternation among Zurrieq residents