€1.2 million renovation for Ġnien Pjazza Federico Maempel

Mar 12 2022

Ħal Qormi’s Pjazza Federico Maempel will be renovated through an investment of €1.2 million by the Ministry for Economy and Industry.

Minister Silvio Schembri announced the investment, explaining how the zone will be given new life so that Qormi residents can enjoy the space along with their families. Spread over 3400 meter squared, the open space will include a library and a reading space dedicated to the headmaster and teacher Anthony Coleiro.

Sanitary facilities, baby changing rooms, bird habitats, new benches, renovated passageways, a yoga and meditation zone, a children’s playground and an area dedicated for local council use are all part of this new renovation.

The area will also be given a green lung of its own through the planting of trees and shrubs along with an irrigation system and security cameras. No trees already planted in the area will be removed, with the new designs made to work around the existing floral landscape.

Minister Schembri said that the residents of Qormi will be given a new central heart in their district. Here, they can relax and engage in recreational activities at their own comfort. He explained how more than €2 million will be invested from India Malta as part of projects of Corporate Social Responsibility, which will also take place in Mellieha, Hal Safi, Xewkija Ghawdex, Siggiewi, Dingli and, of course, Qormi.

President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca attended the official announcement event, saying that the garden reflects the dreams of the children who expressed the importance of inclusivity and green spaces. She added that Hal Qormi gave a lot to Malta’s economy, given that it is surrounded by 7 industrial zones. Through these gardens, the residents will be benefiting immensely.

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Uproar after Planning Authority approves Portelli Sannat mega-block

Mar 12 2022

The Planning Authority voted to approve an application to build a mega-block of apartment next to the Sannat cliffs, resulting in an uproar of critique among those objecting to the development.

PA/02087/21, an application by Mark Agius, was approved to build 73 flats and 60 garages in Sannat. This was met with disdain by activists however, who highlighted how the application is one of three in a cluster in Joseph Portelli’s plan to create 125 apartments along just 300 metres from the cliff’s edge.

Following the vote, shouts and chants of ‘you should be ashamed’ and ‘viva l-korruzjoni’ were projected at the board members. Critics have argued that slicing the development into three applications is an attempt by developers to bypass increased scrutiny that a larger project would undertake.

The two other applications have already been approved by the commission, despite being recommended for refusal by the PA’s case officer.

On his part, PN leader Bernard Grech questioned whether Robert Abela had anything to do with the permit for the Sannat development. Calling the approval of the permit an obscenity, he went on to ask whether the Prime Minister was in meetings which he influenced or was influenced by in recent days.

‘You are responsible for the environmental degradation of the country’ Grech said in his message. The Opposition leader said that although the PL pledged to invest into green lungs, it was acting in contradictory manners by approving such projects.

Grech said that another reason why Abela did not criticise the plans is due to the fact that h made thousands from direct orders in the PA and was happy receiving them. He then went on to explain how the PN’s trackless tram proposal among others would see to it that the environmental degradation does not continue whilst also keeping the economy sustainable.

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PN’s Trackless Tram would span from Ċirkewwa to Birżebbuġa

Mar 12 2022

The trackless tram proposed by the Nationalist Party would run on a circular six-line system spanning from Cirkewwa all the way to Birzebbuga.

The transportation system is set to incorporate 48 localities for 24 hours a day. This was revealed by PN candidate Toni Bezzina during a press conference this morning. He explained how nine hubs would be built, with 13 interchanges and 47 stops.

The trackless tram, which the PN propose would go through partial and distributary routes, is a direct response by the Opposition to the issue of transportation in Malta as well as Labour’s metro.

Bezzina stated that a study would be conducted to redistribute the carriage ways and make out a dedicated lane through the already existing ones. The tram would go at around 50km/hr instead of the maximum 70-75 in order to project the time taken between one stop and the other.

Set to carry around 300 to 500 people at one go, the concept aims at reducing traffic on Maltese roads. Anyone could benefit from its use, says Bezzina, from students to workers to those going to hospital.

PN candidate Janice Chetcuti said that the tram proposal was offering an economic and environment friendly solution to the traffic issue, and will not generate any noise pollution or damaging of surrounding environment.

On his part, PN candidate Frederick Aquilina praised the study conducted by the party, saying that we have to make sure the economy is sustainable to make sure youths, who wake up early to go to school, get a better quality of life.

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Couples offered €2000 wedding payments to get married in Rome

Mar 12 2022

Wedding costs are a well-known burden many couples face as they work on tying the knot on their relationship. That, as well as finding the perfect romantic destination to celebrate the occasion.

Now, Italian city Lazio, which also happens to share Rome as the capital city with the entirety of Italy, is offering couples around €2000 to get married in the region.

The offer is also available for both local and international couples and the pair can redeem the money on wedding items such as dresses, flowers, decorations, cake and even photography.

The deal has been made valid until the 31st of December of this year, with the fund limited to €10 million. This means that only 5000 couples will get a chance to take advantage of the offer.

The campaign, Nel Lazio Con Amore (In Lazio with Love) has managed to get the €10 million in COVID recovery funds and is attempting to help couples seal their marriage and boost the economy.

Couples can even put a maximum of €700 towards their honeymoon. There is a catch however as couples must spend the money with Lazio-based firms.

Lazio itself is a site of massive historic value, attracting tourists from all over the globe. The sites on offer include the eternal city of Rome as the main classic, but also other gems such as the Civita di Bagnoregio or the Etruscan (pre-Roman) tombs.

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