GRTU up in arms over MPs parking scheme in Valletta
Gerald Fenech
The business community represented by the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) is up in arms over what they are claiming is the complete takeover of parking spaces by Members of Parliament in the vicinity of the Palace in Valletta.
Speaking to MaltaToday GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia insists that this takeover is creating ‘pain’ for shop owners adding that such an arbitrary and negative attitude is simply not on.
“They carried on with their painting of all streets in yellow, blue and green boxes, as well as yellow double lines, as if no one is protesting – proving clearly that they don’t care a hoot and that they are completely unaware of the pain all this attitude is creating”.
In a clear jibe at the Prime Minister’s much-trumpeted visit to the Merchants’ Street business community last week, Farrugia said that: “when the PM walked down an empty street and met a few football enthusiasts swapping pictures he believes that everything is fine with business in Valletta”.
He was also highly critical of the way foreign tour organisers “hijack most of the tourists and drive them straight out of town without giving them a chance to see the sights and shop around in Valletta”.
“It is as if Valletta is now only history, and the business community is a suffered presence,” Farrugia added.
In an article published in its weekly newsletter Farrugia also takes up the issue of parking in Valletta for MP’s stating that “what the Members of Parliament have accepted to do to reserve privileged parking in the heart of Valletta in complete disregard of everybody else is shameful”.
Farrugia states that not only have Parliamentarians reserved for themselves the whole zone in the vicinity of the Palace but they have also reserved half of the pavements which are supposed to provide safe passage to pedestrians.
“Is there no one in their right mind to realise what these are doing to the city? Is it possible that nobody realises that the city of Valletta is being strangled to death in a pitiful slow process? It is becoming an ugly experience for those who wish to come to the city with all the wardens, police and others eager to scare you off or else dump a ticket on your windscreen.”
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