Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/943656
11 maltatoday SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2018 News Hal Gharghur Ghajnsielem Qala Marsaxlokk Hal Tarxien Gharb Nadur Mgarr Iklin Munxar Vittoriosa Cospicua Hal Safi Ta' Sannat Kalkara Gudja Xewkija San Lawrenz Ta' Kercem Hal Ghaxaq Had-Dingli Qrendi Senglea Xghajra Mqabba Ghasri Mtarfa Fontana hal Kirkop Santa Lucija Mdina 164 161 160 159 151 148 147 136 136 136 118 109 104 103 102 93 90 84 75 74 70 70 70 67 43 41 39 37 33 29 22 "The main problem in Gzira, which may not be the same for other localities, is that the foreigners who live here are not a static community because there is a lot of mobility," he said. This makes it hard to foster a sense of community. Borg Manche said this turnover among foreigners cre- ated particular problems that impacted the rest of the community. "At a very basic level you get people taking out garbage bags at inappropriate times because they do not know the locality rules and by the time somebody draws their attention to the matter, they would have probably left," Borg Manche said. But language could also be another barrier for foreign- ers who do not speak English or have a poor understand- ing of it. Gzira is home to a lot of foreigners working for gam- ing companies, most of which operate in neighbouring Sliema and St Julian's. But it is also home to others who work in the construction sector. A construction boom and law enforcement The statistics released by the NSO are a year old and the mayor anticipates the situation will only get more intense over the coming years. "There are 130 development sites in Gzira and all are for apartment blocks, which will most probably be rented out," Borg Manche said. The dual challenges of a construction boom – driven by the demand from foreigners – with all its detrimental impact on residents and a rapidly growing community of people unwilling to plant roots in the locality, is also creating a problem of enforcement. In a court judgment last week, magistrate Joe Mifsud felt the need to underscore his concern on the number of crimes being perpetrated by foreigners. He was sentenc- ing a 37-year old Somali man who lives in Xewkija, jailing him for two years after being found guilty of grievously injuring two other Somalis in a stabbing incident. "The Court notes that the overwhelming majority of foreigners in this country are peaceful and law-abiding. The Court expresses concern on the increasing number of crimes being committed by a small number of foreign- ers. Such a situation is intolerable," Mifsud said. His statement follows the concern expressed by the Marsa council last December over anti-social behaviour migrants living there were engaging in. While criminality in both Gzira and Marsa has its own genesis that is not necessarily linked to foreigners – both localities have historically been linked to prostitution and associated crimes – changing social realities require a better understanding of new enforcement require- ments. Borg Manche said enforcement at all levels had to im- prove. "The economy is growing, the population is grow- ing, the number of visitors is growing and at the same time law enforcement in all its aspects, including regu- lating the construction industry, has not kept up with the pace," he said, clamouring for more public investment. Speaking recently to The Malta Independent, econo- mist and JobsPlus chairperson Clyde Caruana, said that if the current rate of economic growth persisted, Malta could be looking at an increase of between 28,000 and 30,000 foreign nationals over the next four years. If the past few years are anything to go by, Caruana's prediction is likely to come true. This can only add to the challenges locality leaders like Borg Manche have to face. ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt "There are 130 development sites in Gzira and all are for apartment blocks, which will most probably be rented out," Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manche TOP A corporate event for a gaming firm in Malta. The industry employs many foreigners. Photo: Ambassador Events/ Facebook BELOW Off to work: towns like Marsa, which host an open centre for migrants and asylum seekers, are usually first choice for migrant workers to settle down. Although community leaders report problems of anti-social behaviour, criminality is not necessarily linked to foreigners St Paul's Bay Tas-Sliema Birzebbuga Msida St Julian's Gzira Swieqi Mellieha Marsaskala Birkirkara ... Tal-Pietà Ta' Xbiex St Paul's Bay Msida Gzira Tas-Sliema Birzebbuga St Julian's Swieqi Ta' Xbiex Mellieha Tal-Pietà ... Marsaskala Birkirkara 8515 6688 3988 3825 3550 3440 2969 2250 1927 1642 ... 681 418 37% 35% 35% 34% 32% 31% 24% 23% 22% 16% ... 15% 7% Largest non-Maltese populations Highest concentration as % of total population