Government ended 2008 with a gift from the prime minister of his decision to build parliament at the bombed opera house, and beginning 2009 with the transfer of the crafts village in Ta’ Qali to Dock No. 1.
Starting with the latest, the news was given to us by none other than Austin Gatt, who in my opinion is the most controversial minister, although I admire him; not because of how he does things, but because he tried to correct things that are outdated and cannot be sustained anymore.
Shifting the crafts village from Ta’ Qali is not advantageous to anybody, not even the shop owners of the people. The government says EU did not provide funds. I believe this to be an excuse. I think the government wants to generate some business in the area, but what business will a crafts village generated to the locality? The government should find something suitable for Dock No. 1, connected with maritime activity, without damaging the dock itself, and leave the crafts village in Ta’ Qali.
The other senseless decision is the parliament on the opera house site. I call it criminal because the site is the only space left in Valletta, and if future generations want to build an opera house in the future, they won’t find a place because it would have been usurped by Lawrence Gonzi’s palace. I suggest the parliament be place at the Main Guard.
Mr Prime Minister and government, change your mind. These are not U-turns but good gestures to the people. You will be remembered for what you do.
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