On Sunday morning, residents gathered in Swieqi to protest against what they describe as the “multiple illegalities in the area, which include vandalism, noise at night resulting in sleepless nights and waste taken out on wrong days and times.” The protest was supported by the Marsaskala, Valletta and Sliema residents associations.

The first speakers, Billy McBee from Valletta and Anna Maria Baldacchino from Sliema, highlighted the common problems that unite the people of Swieqi to those of Valletta and Sliema, while mentioning their own particular ones.

David Fenech, from the Swieqi Pressure Group, gave an exhaustive list of what the residents in Swieqi have to go through day in day out, night in night out.

Evarist Bartolo, who is a resident in Swieqi, revealed that he has gone to the Ombudsman to try and get justice for the Swieqi residents.

Arnold Cassola, also a Swieqi resident, highlighted the need to sign the Parliamentary petition, which calls for “urgent action on noise, waste, and misuse of tourist rentals in residential areas,” and is open until the 6th of October.

Cassola insisted that fines on the spot for those causing damage or taking garbage outside on the wrong days are a must while strong enforcement of laws for owners of short lets must become the order of the day. He added that, “the Authorities should stop issuing further permits for short lets in Swieqi, since the town is being reduced to being the daytime dormitory of Paceville revellers.”

Cassola thanked all the resident associations that helped make the protest a success. He particularly thanked the members of the Swieqi Pressure Group.

“Without your courageous activism, this would not have been possible”, he stressed. Cassola also thanked Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat and those Local Councillors who are working for the benefit of the locality. “It’s a pity they could not attend because of their party’s orders”, he concluded.

Photos: Arnold Cassola

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