Six months later, Miriam Pace’s husband says her death was ‘for nothing’
The husband of a woman who lost her life when the residence she was in crumbled beneath her says that her death has so far been in vain, as nothing has changed to make living in homes safer.
In a heart-wrenching post on Facebook, Carmel Pace said that six months ago Malta was alight with the news of the tragedy, with politicians and authorities making statements which led one to think that a lesson could have been learnt.
54-year-old Pace was buried under the rubble of her home after it collapsed in Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro, in Ħamrun. Pace’s house was right next door to a building site which was being excavated at the time.
But, since then, we have heard nothing about a report ordered by the Prime Minister and a call for a public inquiry has been ignored, Pace wrote. “I hope that in something like this, when a life was lost through negligence, that there are no partisan interests,” he said.
But, like the sound of thunder which fades into nothing, “so has your death been in vain, dear Miriam,” Pace added. All the promises that were made are nothing but smoke, he said.
He wrote that he still cries when he visits her grave and sometimes asks himself whether all that has happened is true. But he quickly realises the extent of the tragedy when he remembers that he has ended up without a home and clothes, and that now he needs to go to court to get back what belonged to him.
Four people have pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Pace, who died after her house collapsed on 2 March.
The four accused are 36 yearold architect Roderick Camilleri of Rabat, Site Technical Officer 72year-old Perit Anthony Mangion of Gżira, 37 year-old contractor Ludwig Dimech from Żebbug and 42 year-old workman Nicholas Spiteri from Mqabba.
The Prime Minister was asked about this situation later in the day. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that a legal reform of the construction industry is set to be tabled in parliament next month.
“I have kept in touch with Carmel, and the family are to contact me directly whenever they are in need of anything.”
He said that the report by Commissioner Quintano is closed and that it will be taken up to be translated in the form of a bill. He said that the draft was presented to the Chamber of the Architects on Tuesday by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg, who will later meet the industry stakeholders with the aim to have the bill approved by cabinet by the end of the month.
The bill will then be taken up in Parliament following the summer recess.