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6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 2 maltatoday EXECUTIVE EDITOR KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Letters to the Editor, MaltaToday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt Letters must be concise, no pen names accepted, include full name and address maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 AUGUST 2023 The waste problem Editorial THE rubbish emergency flagged by the mayors of Sliema, St Julian's, Swieqi, Gżira and St Paul's Bay is symptomatic of how this country goes about its busi- ness. These localities have experienced rapid population increases over the past decade with an influx of for- eigners living in rented accommodation. The situa- tion only gets worse in summer when tourists, some of who make use of short-let self-catering apart- ments, flood the areas. This rapid growth in permanent and semi-perma- nent residents has obviously strained the infrastruc- ture and waste collection is one such problem area. If one were to take a parallel example, the waste situation is very similar to what happened in the fi- nancial services sector. Financial services grew rapidly over the past dec- ade, becoming an important cog in the economy. The sector directly employs thousands and benefits many thousands more in an indirect way. But the growth in the financial services sector was not matched by parallel growth in the regulatory authorities intended to safeguard against abuse. The rapid growth saw dubious companies and in- dividuals slipping through the net alongside the bona fide businesses that used Malta as their base. This situation led to the Pilatus Bank and Satabank fiascos and culminated into Malta's greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force. The Labour administration at the time was unwill- ing to grab the bull by its horns and give the regulato- ry and law enforcement authorities the right tools to combat financial crime. The unwillingness probably also stemmed from the fact that lax regulations suited the corrupt dealings of those in power. It was only after Malta suffered international embarrassment and the Labour Party underwent a change in leadership that the regulatory authorities received the necessary oomph and resources to start tightening the net on financial crime, leading to sev- eral notable prosecutions. The same thing is happening now on waste col- lection. The systems in place, even if revamped last January, remain inadequate to deal with the popula- tion changes and tourist influx experienced in several towns across Malta. And once again the authorities have been caught napping. From lax enforcement to inadequate waste collec- tion frequencies, several large localities have become filthy with mounds of garbage bags being left to accu- mulate on pavements and road corners. This appears to have secondary impacts in the form of rats seen scurrying along pavements to rummage in waste bags. This leader already made several suggestions for improvement a fortnight ago when dealing with the pitiful state of cleanliness across towns and villages in Malta and Gozo. We are certain that mayors trying to deal with the issue despite waste management being taken away from their remit, can come up with more important proposals to change the current state of affairs. When speaking to these mayors, two issues appear to be common across the board – the inability of lo- cal councils to order extra rounds of waste collection if needed; the authorities' lack of enforcement. It is pretty obvious to anyone that localities which experience a sudden influx of tourists, or are wit- nessing a constant turnover of people living in rented accommodation, should have additional waste collec- tion rounds. In parallel, enforcement should serve as a deterrent for those putting out the wrong waste bag on the pavement, or misuse the bring-in sites. As a starter, all bring-in sites should have CCTV cameras, and secondly the promised enforcement to ensure people are separating waste correctly and putting out the correct bag on the right day should kick off. The latter is the most difficult task since it would require inspectors sifting through waste bags. Sliema Mayor John Pillow's unorthodox but highly effective campaign to name and shame residents who err when putting out the wrong bag on the wrong day is commendable. The video of him checking out a garbage bag and naming the culprit on social media went viral. A two-month-long concerted effort by the author- ities to do a Pillow stunt and fine those who persist in their wrong ways would help to raise awareness. If need be, the authorities should deploy additional staff for this exercise. It can then be followed up by random spot checks and an information campaign encouraging people to report suspected abuse. At a third level, a massive educational campaign is required to sensitise people to the importance of separating waste and adhering to the national waste collection schedule. The laxity shown by the authorities and the less than optimal waste collection system should not be an excuse for people to do as they please. Everyone in society has a duty to look after the communities where they live. Waste does not cease to be our problem the mo- ment it leaves our house. But then there is also a national discussion to be had on the impact of tourism on this country's infra- structure. The industry is a major employer and con- tributor to the country's economy but it is also caus- ing discomfort for residents. This growing tension in a country that has seen its population explode in such a short time cannot be ignored. Admittedly, finding the right solutions to this di- lemma is not easy but little does it help when the authorities lack the will and energy to at least tackle the gaps that develop in the country's infrastructure. Waste management is one such gap, which requires urgent attention. 18 August 2013 Home Affairs' chief denies contacting main witness in police board inquiry 'I don't even know who Charles Attard iz-Zambi is,' home affairs minister's chief of staff Silvio Scerri says. The Chief of Staff at the ministry for home affairs, Silvio Scerri, has categorically denied ever approaching Darryl Luke Borg, falsely ac- cused with a Birkirkara hold-up, and his mother to appear before the Police Board investigating the matter. Scerri has also denied knowing who convicted criminal Charles Attard iz-Zambi is. Scerri's denials follow a press conference called by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi at 4:30pm during which he alleged that iz-Zambi was used by Scerri as a go-between with Borg and his mother. Attard, today a free man, was convicted of at- tempting to murder Richard Cachia Caruana, a chief PN strategist and former personal assistant to former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami in 1994. Azzopardi said he had nothing against per- sons who had paid for their crimes and was all for their reintegration in society, "however, persons in important administrative positions should have better judgement." The Opposition spokesperson for home af- fairs added that Attard was also present for a meeting which Silvio Scerri had with Darryl Luke Borg on Tuesday. During this meeting, also attended by Borg's mother, the home affair minister's chief of staff asked Borg whether he would be prepared to give testimony to the Police Board which was investigating the police's blunder. Azzopardi pointed out that at no point was Borg formally invited to appear in front of the board in writing and the invitation was only made verbally. The MP described Scerri's involvement as "shocking" and called on the Prime Minister to take action. "It is shocking for a chief of staff to inter- fere in the Police Board's investigations and informing witnesses of their appearance him- self. Who will shoulder the responsibility of this abuse of power?" the MP asked. ... Quote of the Week "Unfortunately, Mount Carmel Hospital, being the only mental health facility available, has gained notoriety for its unfavourable reputation, and people don't want to go there." Julienne Grima from NGO Victim Support Malta, speaking on TVM's Xtra about the difficulties faced by people with mental health issues when seeking help MaltaToday 10 years ago