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What really is taking place at Wied il-Mielah?

After the Gharb Local Council spent 200,000 euros during the first phase of the 'environmental project' at Wied Il-Mielah thanks to the help of Structural Funds for Malta (2004 – 2006), the Council has again been granted aid for its second phase of this. This time the aid provided is approximately €570,000 under the Cohesion Fund (2007-2013). This project is co-financed by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information and the Gharb Local Council.

I am not going to ask into whose pockets these money are going.

However, did or is anybody monitoring what is really taking place here? I doubt it or else somebody is keeping a closed eye (no surprises in this republic).

The photos of some works taking palce here speaks volumes. Why do one need to destroy the natural rock formations in order to be replaced by 'unprofessionally done rubble walls?

In this photo to your left you can see how the natural rocks are being dug out and with the same stones, somebody tried to make a rubble wall instead. If this is not a waste of money what is then?

Can you spot the difference?

Why is the raw seawage overflow still in motion even though the valley and discharged into the sea without being treated whatsoever?

Look at the raw sewage running along this picturesque valley. Thank god you believe in that you can't smell it while reading. Does the Gharb council really treat this place as a gem?

The EU Commission is aware of delays in meeting the requirements to ractify the situation. It is hoped that the Commission will scrutinise the implementation of environmental legislation as regards this matter and I hope that you and I will not be fined if the Commission will start a legal infringment procedures including application to the European Court of Justice.



Malta has an obligation to have ALL watsewater treated before discharge into the sea by March 2007 and hence my (and your) government is infringing the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

Dears
Prim Minister
PS for Dialogue
Gharb LC
Gozo Minister
Water Services Corp.
Health Inspectirate
MEPA (?)

Please wake up.

Can Gozitans tolerate even more deaths due to lack of health services?

Unfortunately, tragic events also take place in Gozo, where patients need to be rapidly transferred directly to Mater Dei by emergency helicopter.

But since the Gozo General Hospital does not host such a helicopter service, patients in Gozo have to wait for the helicopter to arrive from Malta before transfer to Mater Dei for medical treatment unavailable in Gozo. This takes time, in circumstances, where seconds can make the difference between life and death.

It is unacceptable that all the health services helicopters are stationed in the island of Malta when they are also needed in Gozo. If at least one helicopter were stationed in Gozo, it could just as easily take off from Gozo to meet medical needs in Malta within the same time frame, if not faster.

But we seem to be a tolerant community... we even tolerate deaths due lack of such services and people seem to continue to accept the things the way they are. Fear of change and of the unknown has enslaved us to even this extreme extent.

nitħaddit kejf nitħaddit id-dor

Xi xhowr iliw Miriam Cassar il-fundatriċej ta' l-NGO VersAgħtini kellmitnej li xteqit turganizza Festival tad-Djalettej ieħur f'Għawdix.


Is-sena l-oħra kien sor l-ewwel darba fil-Munxor. Kint murt u ħodt pjaċujr (ura hawn). Anki kint ktibt xi ħaġe haw fil-blogg (ura hawn).



Din is-sena sor fil-Mużew tal-Fulklur f'raħal twelidej stess.

Minkejje li ġew ħafne nes minn irħule oħra u ġew nes appusta minn Multa biex jisimgħew d-djeletti, ma kenx fuċluj li n-nes ta' l-Għarb jiġiw u jitkellmu bid-djelett tagħne.

X'ħin waslut Miriam Cassar u Ġużi Gatt il-Ħadd fil-għudow kmienej (6 ta' Settembru 2009), bdejne bil-ħidme. Gużi qagħad jirranġa l-bitħa tal-Mużew tal-Fulklur bis-siġġijet fejn kellhe ssejr l-attivito. Jen u Miriam Cassar durna xi 4 darbet ma' l-Għarb biex inħajjrow xi erba minn nes jiġiw.

Kemm hawn min jistħi kos!

L-isbaħ waħda kienit mite mara mir-raħal xi ftit akbar minnej qeltilna "Leq ħuj ma niġejx! Mene jen xiħe? Murrow sibiw xi waħde xiħe"....voldieri dejn (li hej stess titkellem bid-djelett), deħlithe f'rusha li d-djelett huwa xa ħaġe tax-xjiwħ biss!

Mele fid-djor kille kemm aħne xjiwħ għax ħadd minne ma jitħaddit bil-Multuj standard ħlef fl-iskula għax bil-furs.

Kulħadd bid-djalett ta' raħliw jitħaddit.

Imme mitt bniedim mitt fehme.

Sa x'ħejn surow il-ħdox, il-bitħa tal-Mużew tal-Fulklur imtlet bin-nes. Anzuj ken hemm wusgħa għal xi erba nes mill-Għarb għax minbarra jen, Savio u Miriam, ġew Viturja, Lilej tan-Nagħġe, Mikielanġla tat-Taljon, Patrik ta' Stangow, Ġurġ ix-Xemx u anke Marija tal-Kaj. Ħejn minnhim ġe Ċikkiw tal-Kaj ukill għax redt jisma' naqra għane, imma ġe tord għax l-għannejje leħqiw spiċċew.

Killix ma killix qattajna sagħtejn u mejn kellu l-kuroġġ jiġej ħo pjaċur.

Kus ukill....biex titħaddit il-lingwe t'ummok quddem in-nes, hawn mejn għandu bżunn il-kuroġġ. Imme x'tagħmil?

Jen ma ddejjeqtx inqebbil waħde lil Savio kejf ken jagħmil miegħej in-nannru z-Zugow (alla jaħfirliw) - ura hawn.

X'inhi l-pozizzjoni tan-Nazzjonalisti dwar il-qerda ta' l-ambjent f'Ghawdex?

Kemm qieghdin tajjeb kos hux!

Waqt il-protesta tal-Mushrooms fl-Gharb, is-sindku Nazzjonalista ta' l-Gharb talab lil Partiti politici sabiex jaghmlu l-pozizzjoni taghhom cara dwar l-ambjent f'Ghawdex!

Kieku staqsa lil Partit tieghu nahseb kien ikun ahjar.

Xejn personali sur Sindku imma mhux sewwa li tipprova titfa' lil kulhadd f'keffa wahda.

Ezattament bl-Ingliz ighid hekk:

"The Council applies all Gozo politicians to declare publicly their position against the distortion of Gozo environment and countryside with a development in an ODZ zone." ara HAWN

Mur ghidilhom lin-nies li jien bhala Kelliemi ta' l-AD ghal Ghawdex kien ilni nigri wara s-sindku sa minn Novembru tas-sena l-ohra sabiex issir konferenza stampa dwar dan il-kaz!? Kien gie anke l-perit Cacopardo u l-Profs Cassola.

Minkejja kollox pero' inhoss li ghandi nirringrazzja lis-sindku u l-kunsill lokali ta' l-Gharb ghal pozizzjoni li issa hadu fl-interess tar-residenti ta' Triq Frangisk Portelli u tal-madwar.

Issa l-kunsill ghandu l-istqarrija ufficjali ta' l-AD dwar dan. Tghid ser ikollu xi rispons minn naha tal-PN u l-PL li huma jirrapprezentaw?

Niddibuta. Jew?

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STQARRIJA STAMPA

05/09/2009

Ghandu jinstab sit iehor ghall-impjant tal-faqqiegh - AD

Alternattiva Demokratika tappoġġa lir-residenti tal-Għarb fl-oggezzjoni tagħhom għall-impjant tal-produzzjoni tal-faqqiegħ ftit metri l-bogħod miż-żona residenzjali, il-Villagg tas-Snajja Ta' Dbiegi u 200 metru biss il-bogħod mill-Lukanda Kempinski San Lawrenz.

Il-Perit Carmel Cacopardo, kelliemi ta’ AD dwar l-Iżvilupp Sostenibbli u l-Gvern Lokali qal li minn eżami tad-dokumenti tekniċi sottomessi ma jirriżultax minn fejn ser jinġieb il-ħmieġ tat-tiġieġ li ser jintuża fil-produzzjoni tas-substrate għall-faqqiegħ. Imkien ma jingħad dwar jekk l-industrija tat-tiġieġ f’Għawdex hiex f’posizzjoni li tippovdi dak meħtieġ għall-proġett tal-produzzjoni tal-faqqiegħ fl-Gharb.

Minn dak li hu magħruf jirriżulta li f’Għawdex m’hemmx biżżejjed irziezet tat-tiġieġ biex jistgħu jissuplixxu l-impjant għall-produzzjoni tal-faqqiegħ u allura dan ser ikollu jinġieb minn Malta.

Dan kollu, żied jgħid Victor Galea kelliemi ta’ AD għal Għawdex, juri mhux daqstant li l-proġett m’għandux isir, imma li postu la hu fl-Għarb u probabilment l-anqas f’Għawdex.
Mhux ta’ b’xejn li l-Project Description Statement, żied jgħid Galea, ikkonsidra numru kbir ta siti alternattivi. Għax l-ebda waħda minnhom m’hi aċċettabbli. Is-sit tal-Għarb bħas-sit tax-Xewkija hu wisq viċin l-abitat. Għandu għaldaqstant jinstab sit alternattiv.

Ralph Cassar

PRO - AD, The Green Party

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I suggest you have a look at the contribution by Perit Carmel Cacopardo on this subject (mushrooming of the eco-island) by clicking HERE.

No To Gharbitrary Planning Proposals

The Gharb Residents' Association has again joined forces with other entities to protest against the proposed mushroom factory in Gharb in an area as big as 2 football pitches in yet another Outside Development Zone and immediately adjacent to a residential area.

Special thanks to Moviment Graffitti, who, earlier this week, protested in front of the MEPA Offices and made a particular mention of this proposed factory in Gharb.

With reference to the Project Description Statement (PDS) commissioned by the developers, it is noteworthy that since 2003, MEPA recommended a site at the Xewkija Industrial area. However, when they realised that there was a residential area within the zone, MEPA itself recommended withdrawal of this application because this development would have created hazards to the residents there.

Therefore what is unacceptable for Xewkija residents is likewise unacceptable for the Gharb residents.

Such a planning application should never be proposed near any residential area in Gozo. The raw sewage outflow in Wied il-Mielah Valley, Gharb, coupled with the stench of chicken manure from a mushroom farm would further compound the deterioration of the health and safety of the residents here.

Victor Galea - for the rights of the residents and protection of Gharb

Who wants a mushroom factory next door?

Dear friends,

We would appreciate it if you can support the residents of Gharb in the cause against a mushroom factory in yet another Outside Development Zone (ODZ) and so close to the residents.

Gharb residents have joined forces this afternoon to show their anger and concerns towards the proposal of a construction of a mushroom factory on agricultural land in an outside the development zone.

The 12,000 square metre land is also few metres away from the residential area.
The residents feel that although various authorities were consulted , they were not although they were the ones who would have to suffer the consequences, including noise, traffic congestions and odours.

The heritage panet of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the residents said, had itself stated that the factory could produce offensive odours in the vicinity of Gozo’s crafts village and a five-star Hotel, since it would be using 22,000 kilogrammes of odoriferous chicken excrement per week.

Referring to studies commissioned by the developers, on behalf of the newly set up Gharb Residents Association, I explained that the Gharb residents are also concerned that Mepa is accepting a study which was supposed to give an assessment of the impact of this proposed development on the ground water.

It seems that MEPA finds that a study which should be done by an expert hydrologist with competence and experience on the hydrology of the Maltese Islands is being sufficed by an exercise done by a geologist.

We find no comment or assessment or quantification on the potential contamination of the proposed project on the underlying aquifer – which should be the most important part of the study.

We now seem to have a replica of the great damage that has already occurred to the natural spring waters at the new Nadur Cemetary and the pain carried upon the farmers at Ghajn Qasam, simply because Mepa is just satisfied with the studies of a geologist and not of an expert hydrologist.

With regards to the emissions generated by this proposed development, we also explained that the environment impact assessement made no attempt to quantify the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that would be emitted by the process of mushroom cultivation.
The aerobic/anaerobic decomposition of the manure to be used in the mushroom cultivation process was a big generator of GHG emissions.

Mr Galea said the association would ask MEPA's auditor to investigate this case.

The association called on the council to remain consistent in its stand against the development and applealed to all environmental NGOs and people who cared about the Gozitan quality of life to support residents.

Please enjoy the present countryside scenery and pay to God that this factory won't take place in this area.

Another ODZ to be destroyed: "Gozo residents are used to rural odours"

This comment by the developers of the proposed mushroom factory at the prestine agricultural lands at Ta' Dbiegi, should be deplored by all people who got some common sense.

This comment was reported this Sunday on MaltaToday by journalist James Debono.

The report says that a proposed mushroom factory earmarked for an outside development site near the five-star Kempinski San Lawrenz resort has attracted concern from MEPA’s natural heritage panel. The panel said that the factory could produce offensive odours in the vicinity of Gozo’s crafts village and the holiday resort, despite the mitigation measures being proposed by the developers.

Forget the above Kempinski Hotel for the moment....forget the crafts village for the moment....

What about the residents on Triq Frangisk Portelli (in Gharb) and the wehreabout who are just few metres away from this proposed development?

It is most arrogant that the developers of the 'farm' have claimed in an environmental planning statement that residents are used to “rural odours” since manure is used to fertilise the surrounding fields.

How can one compare the CO2 emissions, specifically the amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that will be emitted by the process of the mushroom facgtory to the fertilisation added to the agricultural land once a year before ploughing takes place after the first ain?

Is it that possible that MEPA or the developers are truely not aware that the aerobic/anaerobic decomposition of the manure to be used in the mushroom cultivation process is a big generator of GHG emissions (CO2, methane, ammonia)?

Thank goodness that the Naturtal Heritage Panel commented that the odours could negatively affect the Ta’ Dbiegi crafts village and other residential units in the area. “The total elimination of these risks is well-nigh impossible,” the panel stated.

While the Environmental Project Statement (paid by the developers) says the scheme will not impact the landscape, the natural heritage panel expressed its concern on the loss of high quality agricultural land.

Much was written about this proposed development in yet another Outside Development Zone (ODZ) in Gharb way back last year. The applicant is proposing a 14,000 square meter (14 tumoli) construction within an ODZ area. The area is designated, within the relevant Local Plan, as land of agricultural value. The area is also included within the Linear Country Parkways and Circular Walking Routes in the Local Plan. The proposed development will effectively dwarf the crafts village since its total roofed area is almost twice the size of the entire crafts village.

In my opinion, one of the best contributors was a 'foreign' Gharb resident who wrote specifically on this proposed development in yet another ODZ: "Please Stop The Rape of Gozo For Ever"

Now it appears that this became a concern for the 'local' Gharb residents as well. At least they are directly concerned about what is to happen in their own backyard.

I understand that this is quite a shallow vision of what people here in Malta say that 'we like the environment'. It seems that people 'wake up' when an environmental disturbance would take place in their own vicinity. But I just hope that Gozitans will finally realize that "today it is me tomorrow it is you". So it is very important that at least now we ALL support each other.

Just a note: The developers are listed as one of the "List of persons entitled to priority boarding on the Gozo Channel Company's Vessels" together with HE the President and HE the Prim Minsiter amongst others.

"This is the way we do it here" - Eco-Gozo a-la-PN

This morning was was quite happy to read about a 'foreign' woman who stood up to a man from the Public Cleansing Department.

This is what Francesca Vella - The Malta Independent journalist wrote:

Woman shocked by the way beach was ‘cleaned’
by FRANCESCA VELLA
A reader called our offices yesterday to complain about the way personnel from the Public Cleansing Department recently cleaned a beach in Marsalforn. The reader said she was snorkelling in the clear sea with a friend at about 7.30am one day last weekend, when two men from the cleansing department arrived in a van and politely asked them to remove their belongings from a pathway leading to the sea.About six more men then turned up, picked up what large pieces of rubbish they could with their bare hands and then, according to the woman, they simply used a hosepipe to push the rest of the rubbish, which included cigarette butts, into the sea.“I was shocked and spoke to the foreman, a man named Lawrence, who refused to give me his surname or the name of his boss. He simply told me: ‘this is the way we do it’.”“They call it ‘cleaning’, but they polluted what had been clear blue sea a few minutes before”, she complained, saying that Gozo is being ruined by mismanagement and corruption.“This place is littered with omerta,” she said, adding that she recently moved to Gozo for health reasons, but was disgusted by the way things are done there.

The elected Mayor and Zebbug Councillors should be ashamed about the dilapitated state of Marsalforn, Qbajjar and Xwejni....this not to mention the people who voted for them!

Let's grow please.

Gozitano-Malti… so what difference does it make?

Few weeks ago, Raphael Vassallo called from the newspaper MaltaToday and informed me that on the week of Santa Maria, during the influx of Maltese in Gozo, the paper will be dedicating some pages on Gozo and I was being asked to write about the perception of Gozitans over the Maltese and if possible vice versa.

During the following days I kept asking people whom I usually meet: 'What makes a Gozitan a Gozitan'? Peter-Paul and Joe, two Gozitans working in Malta with whom I meet almost every morning on the ferry, both agree that there IS a difference between a Gozitan and a Maltese but they hardly could tell me what!

I trid to do another brainstorming session with Joe - a new Maltese friend of mine and collegue at work. This one was quite successful. Amongst other points, he could relate that 'a Gozitan is able to take more risks in business than a Maltese'.

However many other people from Malta whom I tired to discuss the topic just said : "Ghawdxi tajjeb aharqu, ahseb u ara hazin" (If you find a good Gozitan burn him/her, then imagine what one would do with a bad Gozitan) ...as if it is impossible to find a good Gozitan at all!

Deadline for the newspaper was approaching so I decided to share my thoughts.

Not being an anthropologist or a sociologist, any analysis on any assumed different characteristics between Gozitans and Maltese, is purely based on my personal experience of a person born and raised in Gozo, and who resided periodically in Malta and who continuously commute between the islands. I do not intend to generalise on such characteristics, as any good or shady personalities can be met in any of the islands. Nor is it my intent to rely on quoted research but rather to interpret views as seen through one’s own course of events.
A person simply interprets situations according to one’s own personal traits and environment. For example, a Maltese person may regard Gozitans as thrifty, whereas Gozitans may reiterate that they want to live within their means and are diligent enough to save for unforeseen emergencies.

Work ethic
A Maltese person seems to be more focused professionally, whereas a Gozitan often seeks another source of income from another activity outside their main job. Of course there are also Maltese active in different fields. I experienced a feeling that in Malta a person shows more professionalism at work without being hindered by nepotistic tendencies that are more evident in Gozo. Gozitans who spent a considerable time of their time working in Malta and then are transferred home, attest that they felt better at their Maltese place of work, and in fact some do request to be transferred back.

A Gozitan is a more relaxed person

One could imagine that Gozo’s clean and natural environment may transmit a benign psychological effect on its inhabitants. A Gozo person often seems to exhibit more calm and relaxation than a Maltese person. Heavy traffic, pollution, population density and loud noise in Malta could have its negative effects on a Gozitan raised in more healthy surroundings. And one often hears a Gozitan sigh relief on arriving at the sister island.

Gozitans are down to earth
Another variance is the simplicity of life most Gozitans adopt. They are not as spoilt or caressed like their Maltese brothers. They grew up in a context of a survival society and have therefore a hardier, craftier character. Whereas many Maltese seem to prefer crowded leisure resorts like Bugibba, Sliema or Wied il-Ghajn or sophisticated hotels and restaurants, Gozitans go for quieter areas such as Dwejra, Hondoq or Qbajjar.

Financial attitudes

The hardship of the double insularity of Gozo could instil its youth to be more attentive to any income earned. Gozitan youth may differ from their Maltese counterparts in that they save to invest on their future and tend to borrow less from banks for current expenditures on car ownerships. A Gozitan will always defend his place at work and could also be aggressive doing so, as it is realised that jobs are not easy to come by in such a small island. Having more employment opportunities in Malta, a Maltese does not think twice to alternate between various jobs.

Conservative and wary

The Gozitan is noted for being a conservative person and wary in his behaviour. Gozitans live in a tight community, every person knows every other person, personal family problems are known by all, so a Gozitan needs to weigh his words well, and more than a Maltese person would prefer to act dumb than appear to remark badly on a neighbour or an acquaintance.

See, hear, say no evil

It has been noted that Gozitans tend not to see, hear or talk even when it concerns helping authorities to unravel crime such as theft or homicides. A Gozitan may redeem himself from such behaviour by explaining the island’s close familiarity and lack of confidentiality. What happened to those files found hidden at the Victoria Police Station? Any explanation for confiscated drugs to be left in the Police safe? It could be that an upright Gozitan may feel that he could end up victimized were he to report a crime to an authority that seems to be so lax, others may say corrupt.

Gozitan survival instincts

Although Gozo has over the years under various governments suffered a shortage of investment funds, Gozo entrepreneurship survived and is quite vibrant. One can see this present in a myriad of added-value food products on supermarket shelves in Malta. The Gozitan entrepreneur struggled to survive, then learnt and adapted to modern techniques. Gozitans are often keen to obtain more income from other activities. Thus various public servants in Gozo could opt to be less efficient at work and save their energies for private work after working hours. I am of the opinion that a Maltese regards his main income satisfactory. A Gozitan seeks alternate sources of income. And this when the Gozitan can often rely on his own grown agricultural products, whereas a Maltese needs to buy all his groceries, also because the erstwhile garden plot behind his house is now another block of flats.

Self-independence and maturity

At an early age, many Gozitans are obliged to leave the safety of their home and for work or study reasons ‘immigrate’ to Malta to live on their own and often to share a flat with similar others. This obliges them to be self-sufficient, independent, gregarious and self-managed. A contemporary Maltese feels cosy and taken care of at home. The young ‘immigrant’ Gozitan is constrained to experience budgetary skills to meet rent and costs of food, clothing and utilities; during weekdays this Gozitan experiences adult chores and matures into adulthood at an earlier stage of life than his Maltese compatriot.

Other different characteristics between Gozitans and Maltese can be analysed, such as, variances in attitudes. However without any doubt, Maltese and Gozitans possess countless similarities; but about this, I could write another time...

Morning has broken

Early this morning, besides my usual cup of coffee, I took my camera with me in our garden just before leaving for work. The scenery was superb with all the mist in the valley between our house and Ta' Pinu Sanctuary and eventually the early sunrise from over Zebbug.

The summer flowers from our garden were also lovely but with my cheap camera the focus was not at all incredibly good, but left a good impression on me anyway.

I shot these photos which I would like to share with you.

Enjoy.

Victor