Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538544
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 AUGUST 2025 OPINION Luke Farrugia Frank Camilleri The dawn of a new Marsa PN's stark choice: Oblivion or giving hope a chance Mayor of Marsa Company director SOME moments define the future of a place. The project launched by the Envi- ronment Ministry and the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC) is one of those moments. Together with Minister Miriam Dalli and GHRC CEO Gino Cauchi, I announced a major regeneration project for the centre of Marsa—not as a distant dream but as a commitment backed by action. This pro- ject proves that our town's days of being left behind are over. This is not just an empty promise; it clearly signals that the tide has turned. At 25, I am young enough to remember growing up in a Marsa where hope felt dis- tant. We were told that change was "com- ing soon" and that investment was "on the way". But year after year, nothing changed. We were given speeches instead of solu- tions, empty promises instead of progress. I have seen the frustration this created. Conversations in shops, at band clubs and on the streets often came back to the same point: 'Marsa was being left behind.' Resi- dents felt abandoned and believed no one in power was willing to take the tough de- cisions our locality needed. For too long, that belief was justified. Marsa had to deal with pollution until the Labour government stepped up to shut down the Marsa power station; next, it addressed criminality, with measures now in place that help us regain a sense of se- curity. The public environment was next. We want to restore a town that reflects the dignity of its people. That of a strong com- munity. The change that has occurred in recent years is not only significant but also histor- ic. Public spaces have been revitalised and enhanced. The regeneration of Spencer Garden by the Environment and Resourc- es Authority is one such example, becom- ing one of the most beautiful open spaces available for people to enjoy. The regeneration of Marsa's square will breathe new life into this community. These are not isolated initiatives. They are part of a broader vision for the port area. For the first time in decades, Marsa is not on the margins of national develop- ment; it is at its centre. This progress has not happened by ac- cident. Without the determination and commitment of the current government, Marsa would still be waiting. As mayor, I work closely with my fellow councillors, but these results are possible only when there is strong leadership and a readiness to invest in our locality. For that reason, I thank the govern- ment for allocating millions to this pro- ject. I thank the minister for her leader- ship and the GHRC that will oversee its delivery. The GHRC team deserves rec- ognition for meeting with stakeholders, listening to residents, and respecting the history of Marsa throughout the plan- ning process. The image of Marsa is changing. For too long, the town was spoken about as a problem—a place to avoid, a burden to manage. That perception is being replaced by a new reality; a Marsa as a place of op- portunity, pride, and progress. There is still more work to do. Streets must be renewed, more opportunities cre- ated, and more spaces reclaimed for the community. But the direction is clear, and the momentum is ours. I grew up in a Marsa that was often overlooked. I intend to lead a Marsa that will never be overlooked again. Marsa is changing. We are moving forward. And we are not going back. THE Nationalist Party leadership contest once more shows that even in extreme times the party cannot unite and present a common front to face its political 'enemy'— an enemy that is turning into a monster of democratic abuse. On one side, we have a complete novice, Alex Borg, who has never made any polit- ical dent in parliament or outside it. He is presenting himself as the solution to the malaise the PN is currently in. On the other side, we have Adrian Delia, tried and tested as leader between 2017 and 2020 and forged into a veteran of sorts over the past five years. His flagship achievement is the return of three public hospitals to the Malta Government after successfully challenging the Vitals con- tract in court. The situation the PN finds itself in is com- parable to an aeroplane where suddenly the pilot abandons his stewardship of the air- craft to whoever wants to take a chance. Should you happen to be one of the pas- sengers on board, you find yourself present- ed with a choice of having a pilot who has never flown anything or a pilot who has al- ready been in the seat and successfully land- ed other aeroplanes over the last five years. Unfortunately, many of those eligible to vote in the PN leadership election are vot- ing for a youthful leadership, with new ide- as and new projects. But what they do not seem to realise is that the many promises being made by Alex Borg are not realisable in the short time left to the next general election. This leadership contest is about electing a leader who would be able to lead the PN into the next election that is due within the next two years and possibly win it. The elec- tion could also be earlier because if Prime Minister Robert Abela is wise enough, and he is, he will immediately call an election af- ter the new PN leader is elected. Given the above considerations, it is be- yond my comprehension that a political novice puts himself for possible election to a leadership role. It is short sighted and can only lead to one conclusion—a heavy trammelling for the PN at the polls. If this were to happen, the PN will be pushed into political oblivion for the next 20 years, to Labour's rightful delight. My stand is not against Alex Borg and in favour of Adrian Delia. Far from it. It is a plain and simple plea for sanity. Had the leadership contest been taking place under normal circumstances then much of the above would not be relevant. But we are now talking about the political survival of a party. Alex Borg can be the tesserati's favourite future leader, but for sure not the one to give the PN the victory it so badly needs in the coming general election. As for Delia, I have my doubts if I would be choosing him for PN leader had the cir- cumstances been different. Delia seems to lack political acumen and not infrequently shows political naivety. Take his efforts to include Labour journalists for an interview. He should have learned by now that it is of no use to offer a friendly hand to a political adversary who will eventually be making a joke of it. However, as things stand, Delia is the only hope to give Labour a run for its money in the short time left to the general election. He is the one who can land running on his feet. Everyone concedes, beating Labour at the polls is a Herculean task although nothing says Delia may not pull it off. But even if Delia fails to turn the tables, narrowing the distance between the two major parties and reducing the parliamentary majority would be enough of a victory to be proud of. The PN 'tesserati' are playing a danger- ous game if they do not think their choice through—a game that could mean throw- ing the PN into oblivion. Artist impression of Marsa regeneration