ADPD – The Green Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci has highlighted that from time-to-time, roads and streets need to be dug up for a number of reasons, such as repairs, maintenance, and underground electrical and water systems. Such work is necessary, but it must be planned with residents and the local business community in mind.

“We understand that work must be carried out, especially when this is key to improving our quality of life. However, it is frequently the case that this is done without reducing the inconvenience that this brings to residents and the local business community. “We are against unnecessary inconvenience and damage that occurs during these works, such as the quantities of dust that are being generated,” she said.

Gauci stressed that “work on a site in Rabat has been going on for months, and it is certainly having a negative impact on the health of the residents and the businesses in the area. It is good to plan around these concerns and take the necessary measures to ensure that the dust is not harming the people and the environment in general. This state of affairs has been going on for months and it is taking its toll on the health of residents and the livelihood of people who provide a service to the community.”

She noted that “research has shown us that exposure to fine dust particles, also known as particulate matter, has a long-term negative impact on our health. It is estimated that around 200 people in Malta a year die due to exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5). It is well-known that air pollution caused by such matter has an impact on respiratory and cardiovascular disease.”

“This is particularly of concern for the vulnerable, such as those living with health conditions, the elderly, as well as children. There is research that shows that this type of pollution affects brain and organ development in the early years of life, and these can lead to both physiological and intellectual disorders. It is pertinent to point out that a study published last June showed that such pollution also affects the developing foetus. This is to show that this kind of pollution has a negative impact on both our present and future generations,” said Gauci.

She went on to say that “as we have seen over these last few months, much work has been carried out on our roads and streets to improve our electricity supply. We have seen works on sewage systems as well as the water distribution system. It is often the case that work is done without any coordination, hence causing traffic congestion and air pollution for both residents and businesses. This is currently the case for the residents and businesses in this street.”

Moreover, stated Gauci, “there is their respiratory health to consider as well. In a modern European country that aspires to become the best in Europe we would expect that these works have a clear deadline published for all to know. In European countries work permits are published, together with information about costs, its fundings, commencement and completion dates, as well as the number of workers to be on site.”

She concluded by saying that “there is the need for accountability for citizens, and that way they would not feel like they are being taken for a ride and left in the dark. Such communication would make those interested in such tenders responsible for their own operations and ensure transparency. After all, it is us taxpayers that are footing the bill.”

Photo: ADPD

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