Movement Graffitti, a Maltese non-governmental organisation (NGO) active against the oppression and exploitation of people, the environment, and animals, has expressed their disagreement with the decision of the Mosta Local Council regarding the possibility of reversing the pedestrianisation of Mosta Square on weekends. “One step forward, ten steps back,” Graffitti wrote.

In their post, they stated that while the inconvenience caused by closing the square to vehicles is understood, the “chaos in Mosta” was not born with this problem but has been around for longer due to disorganisation in traffic and unplanned maintenance.

The organisation also addresses the Mosta Local Council, which has a Nationalist majority, as they believe that their promise has not been kept. As the party guaranteed priority to the environment and open spaces, Movement Graffitti said that “It is time to see these words become actions.”

Chris Bonett, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, also shared his thoughts on the matter on Facebook. Bonett started off by admitting his uncertainty when the Mosta Local Council proposed the pedestrianisation of the square on weekends.

He proceeded to say that after seeing it materialise, he thinks that “it was a good idea.” Bonett too is aware of people’s disagreement, but he states that he is choosing to stand by his belief. He went on to say that he “will not defend” the “hypocrisy of those who, before the election, and even after, came to lecture us on open spaces and then failed miserably at the first test.” Finally, he says that he wishes that the Mosta Square arrangement stays as it is, holding the responsibility for transport, and that it is replicated in other localities.

#MaltaDaily