Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo has announced a regeneration for Malta’s largest town of St Paul’s Bay. Speaking at a press conference, the minister pointed out that the people have spoken and that government is responding. St Paul’s Bay falls under the 12th district, which Bartolo contests. A committee will be set up to focus on regenerating the locality and to consult with stakeholders before drafting a plan.
Among the plans are improving security, reducing crime and improving traffic management as top priorities. Other issues include public transport, multiculturalism, parking, waste management, sports and public spaces. Key performance indicators will also be set up by the committee to ensure the plan is put into action.
Alfred Grima, St Paul’s Bay mayor, welcomed the plan, but also highlighted the lack of investment and planning over the years for the locality. He said that ‘unfortunately, our locality has been sidelined for many years when it comes to capital investment to improve our infrastructure. Besides the Coast Road resurfacing of 2017 and private investment, pretty much nothing has happened.’
Grima welcome the announcement by Bartolo, who in turn said that the days of going and complaining about the state of St Paul’s Bay must come to an end. ‘We must seriously look at beautifying the town as it deserves’ said the Minister.
#MaltaDaily
The S4C highlights how their initiative is a long overdue representation of students within the Maltese pro-choice movement. With a focus on Sexual health and Reproductive Health, their aim is to offer an opportunity for students who take up the pro-choice position to step up and make a difference. They highlight the unfortunate reality of fewer students openly supporting abortion decriminalisation in fear of retribution.
Their plea calls for more than just ‘raising awareness’ about such issues, but for systemic changes in the educational system so youth are ‘better equipped and well informed not only about their own bodies, but also on how to engage in safe and healthy relationships.’ They offer up the statistic of around 52% of Maltese youth not using contraception and not being aware of the repercussions of unprotected sexual intercourse. ‘The social stigma surrounding sexual health and abortion does not justify abandoning such an important aspect of our education’ they say.
The issue also goes beyond this, with the organisation stating that medical students should know how abortion procedures are performed. Given the amount of abortions occurring, it makes no sense for these students to not know how to conduct them, according to S4C. ‘As Students for Choice, we acknowledge the thirst for students to voice their opinions regarding the decriminalisation of abortion in Malta.’ Criminalising abortions, they say, affords lesser rights to women than their male counterparts, rendering them as second-class citizens.