The recent action by the Government Property Division to evict squatters who take up public property and land is to be applauded.
So many of these people took up illegal sojourn in property owned by the State for their private gain. It is simply unacceptable for people to seize land belonging to the public and occupy for their own businesses, or even for their own private domestic use.
Having said that, the squatting of public property only goes to show that government has neglected its own properties and land. So many years have been wasted in converting places of historical value such as Fort St Elmo into a proper centre of heritage or to be used for cultural purposes. I think of no better place for a concert venue than Fort St Elmo. Evidently, the government should step up its action in this area.
Another good move by the GPD has been the removal of street furniture belonging to cafes, which have sprawled over onto pavements and roads. Once again, it is simply unacceptable that passers-by have to bypass the chairs and tables by walking into the street. It is high time that these enforcements are backed up with hefty fines.
What is however inexplicable is the kids’ glove approach with those other illegal squatters, the people who took up land in Armier and other seaside areas where they built their own shanty-town.
This situation is not the same as that of poor dwellers who are unable to find a place to live. These are people whose second homes have been made possible only through the illegal squatting of public land. It is simply unthinkable that government caves in to this community of usurpers.
Government should make its stand clearly on the Armier squatters, a position which undoubtedly is vitiated by prime minister Lawrence Gonzi’s concessions to these people before the election.
It seems nothing ever gets done the right way.
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