Its Malta
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Source: The Times of Malta - November 2003
Cargo rates hike jolts industry
Rate hikes "will have a tremendous effect on the export bill," according to industry sources. Both Sea Malta and Grimaldi Group have increased transport rates for trailers and containers. All trailers to and from Malta to Genoa are handled by Sea Malta and Grimaldi. "The increase is a dramatic one for imports. It was the last thing we needed and it will have a tremendous effect on the import bill. Most of it will be passed on to the consumer but for the export industry this could undermine their competitive edge," the sources said.
The increases were not announced formally but cargo agents, handlers and hauliers have been informed by a circular by both Sea Malta and Gollcher, Grimaldi's local agents, that, following an agreement by CIMAT member lines, they had changed the denomination of their tariffs from US dollars to euro. While changing the currency, the shipping lines also raised their fees. The new rates came into effect on November 15, 2003. The main problem is that although Sea Malta says it broke even, the Sea Malta group as a whole lost Lm500,000. There is another drydocks on a smaller scale there and the Transport Ministry should look into the matter," the sources said.
MaltaToday - October 2003
Only six months old, Heritage Malta is still finding its feet. But the government
agency entrusted with looking after our heritage has a major issue up its
alley with the decision to site two temporary landfills near the Mnajdra
and Hagar Qim temples. Heritage Malta was not consulted in the preparation
of the report that identified the two Qrendi quarries adjacent to the prehistoric
temples as the sites for temporary landfills. Can we really afford having
a landfill so close to a world heritage site?
The question of whether the public can trust government to do a good job
at the proposed landfill site is a natural addenda to the whole issue.
Heritage Malta in more ways than one owes its beginning to the abominable
rape of Mnajdra in 2001. The violence perpetrated against Malta's heritage
awakened the national conscience and pressure was exercised on the authorities
to act. Since then new heritage legislation has been enacted and a number
of organisations have been set up, one of which is Heritage Malta.
More has to be done and with the help of European Union structural funds
a project to protect the temples from natural elements is in the pipeline.
Vandals and nature may threaten the country's rich legacy but the greatest
threat comes from the lack of recognition of the great wealth the country
possesses.
If we do not really appreciate the wealth we have and take care of it nobody
will.
Malta has no anti-corruption programme
The Times Of Malta - Matthew Vella - August 2003
The European Union's monitoring report for 2003, which surveys Malta's progress in adopting the union's body of law, the acquis communautaire, has decreed that anti-corruption measures on the island have to be stepped up.
"Only a few cases of alleged bribery have been brought to court in Malta's recent corruption case, which led to the resignation of a chief justice and a judge has affected the way in which citizens perceive the legal system and could be an opportunity for the Government to develop an efficient national strategy for the fight against corruption." Coincidentally, the offenders will be acquitted because judges decided that Primed Minister Dr. Fenech Adami, prejudicated their case during a press conference.
It is less heartening to note that what the EU report believes to be one of the steps executed to combat corruption, the creation of the Public Contracts Appeals Board, was purely established in the midst of alleged corruption in the awarding of the medical supplies tender for the Mater Dei Hospital to INSO SpA. Even then, the report asks for the Appeals Board to be strengthened and its procedures further developed, as well as the Directorate General of Contracts, "particularly with regards to EU-related procurement. Its staff needs to be trained on new procurement rules and procedures."
The message is clear: Malta does not have a specific anti-corruption programme, "and there have been few developments in the fight against corruption." Even after the two straight decades of documented scandal and corruption, and the doubts surrounding a never-changing cabinet, there is still no clear direction or policy for the fight against corruption.
Malta has been a signatory to the Council of Europe' Civil Law Convention on Corruption since Janaury 2002. The convention has, so far, not been ratified. It is almost fitting to note that, with a Magisterial inquest currently ongoing into allegations concerning the abusive issuing of direct orders by the Foundation of Tomorrow's Schools, the EU report has highlighted the need for Malta to align its procurement regulations with the acquis.
Bical 29 Years of Justice denied
– Adapted from newspaper articles
More info available at: http://www.geocities.com/nationalbankofmalta
Bical and its large group of associated companies, have been under controllership since November 25, 1972. This was the second time that Mr Pace had called for the final payment to the Bical depositors - estimated at some Lm450,000. He made a similar call in 2001.
Mr Pace, former owner of BICAL, described the suspension of the Bical licence as "unwarranted". "We were accused and condemned, as shareholders and directors of the bank, and an industrial, commercial, maritime, touristic and property group of companies, that we did not have the adequate assets to meet our liabilities. This was far from the truth, as has now been confirmed in your predecessor's statement of liquid balances held, as well as remaining unsold properties. These remain, even after covering enormous administration and legal bills, charges and expenses. The auditing costs apparently amount to more than what is due to the shareholders. These things happen only in Malta?
"In fact these expenses exceed the total funds so far paid out to depositors and there is still enough to meet the last repayment." says Mr Pace.
The story goes on...
Thursday, September 18, 2003
6hrs of rain on Monday 15th September 2003 and Malta got flooded. Vehicles carried away by water torrents, most new roads inaccessible because of flooding, buidlings damaged because of water seeping/breaking in.
Stands to show how little provisions are being made for such circumstances. Narrow roads with high walls. Little to no way for the water to escape. It seems like we are trying to make sure that all water gets dumped where it should not! Most of it is wasted. We could make good use of it for irrigation, if it were properly stored.
On 17th September 2hrs of rain resulted in similar if not worse occurances. We cannot speak of accidents here, these things are anticipated. People in charge of maintenance and planning know these things are bound to happen. It is a common issue, in Malta, of short sightedness. Sacrificing the longterm benefit of many for the immediate benefit of a few? Who knows? I do not necessarily mean, allotting building sights irrespective of consequences, it could also be the bad design of some roads to save on expenses and/or time.
Shame no body died in the floods. Maybe a few hundred deaths could get things going, through the media at least. This way, we will probably be complaining again for identical reasons next year...like we did last year.
Every body wants to do the right thing, but nobody wants to be the first.
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
The United States has halted all military aid to malta, because, along with 34 others, it did not grant immunity to US soldiers from International Ciminial Court (ICC) prosecution.
Many peace-loving friends of mine in the United States and around the world felt happy and encouraged with Malta's determination to support the International Criminal Court.
One hopes that the Americans, will wake up and make their voice heard. Their country's foreign policy in manhy crucial fields, leaves much to be desired and has repeatedly exposed their people to virulent anti-Americanism.
If the US is sincere in helping the nations of the world, it should cease to provide military aid anywhere. Instead, it should start by giving nations food and medicine, by providing the homeless everywhere with prefabricated homes, and by equipping schools with computers and scholarships, among other positive and constructive items.
Sunday, June 08, 2003
