Country needs long-term sustainable plan to solve environmental, traffic issues – Delia
Nationalist Party leadership contender Adrian Delia yesterday pledged to initiate a long-term plan on sustainable development to combat the growing environmental and infrastructural issues facing the country.
Speaking at a press conference in St Anne’s Square in Sliema, which he said was a symbolic location to represent the lack of proper planning and sustainable development in the country, Delia said: “We need to see what direction we want Malta to move in. Where are we going? Do we want to live in country similar to Singapore and Dubai?”
Delia said that during visits to Gozo, he recognised that, rightfully so, while Gozitans are continuously asked about their vision for the island, the same courtesy was rarely provided to the Maltese.
“We need to plan for the future and start constructing buildings that will be in use in 40 years’ time. We cannot continue to accept planning applications just because people apply.”
“It seems that we are only building because it is the engine of the economy, which might seem positive in the short term, but will cause major problems in the future.”
“In the 1980s, the PN government created MEPA as the system at the time was based around one ministry, but it has since become a monster of bureaucracy.”
The PN leadership candidate said that studies of demographics and society should be undertaken to analyse the issues the public is facing.
He said that while it is the government’s role to facilitate a system whereby the environment is considered as a priority, it is up to the public to act in order to see sustained change.
“We need to allow the public to participate better by introducing rebates on recycling or alternative energy use for example.”
Speaking on the traffic situation, Delia said that he supported parts of the metro system proposal by the PN during the general election.
“I have spoken to architects, civil engineers, and traffic experts regarding a solution to the traffic issue, and I have insisted that I do not want to see the word ‘street’ used in the project.”
Asked by The Malta Independent for his stance on Manoel Island and whether or not the area should be used as the public space and green lung the area needs, Delia said that there were contractual obligations involved which prohibited him from commenting fully.
He did say that the area would be the ideal area for a green lung in the area, which will see the surrounding communities benefit.
“The public should always remain the sovereign owners of their own land, and it should not sold under the pretext of need, which is really the pretext of greed.”
When faced with questions concerning whose parliamentary seat he would take should he get elected PN leader, Delia, while refusing to mention a name, said that he is morally convinced this will occur and offered a guarantee that he will be in parliament if he wins the election.