Resident groups called out the Prime Minister’s bluff following his declaration that a balance had to be found between the tables and chairs blocking pavements and public places. 

“We have written to you several times, we have sent our proposals by email, we have held protests and actions and we were never acknowledged by you or your ministers. Now you say that citizens know they can trust your government and that a solution has to be found. After countless sleepless nights, blocked pavements and disfigured towns, you tell us that you are listening”, the residents said.

If the Prime Minister is serious about it, the residents said that they are demanding that he set a meeting with them within a week to discuss this issue. In light of recent reports of bullying and intimidating threats by restaurant owners towards residents who have spoken out, the urgency of the matter is even more evident.

“If we don’t hear from you with a definite date set for a meeting within this time, we’ll know that you are bluffing once again. Residents all over Malta and Gozo are watching and waiting”, the residents declared.

In summary, the residents’ demands are:

1. Review of legislation: Revision of the law on establishments that operate in public spaces.
2. Release of information: Transparency regarding permits for the occupation of public land.
3. Right of action: Right of action for residents, so they can take action to fight against abuse and ensure serious enforcement.

These demands are supported by residents from Sliema, Valletta, Marsaskala, Mellieħa, San Pawl il-Baħar, Kottonera, Marsaxlokk and Rabat Gozo.

We invite you to visit the website of our campaign ‘Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini’ – www.ilbankinitaccittadini.org – where you can find more information on our demands.

******

Ir-residenti jitolbu azzjoni konkreta mingħand il-Prim Ministru mhux kliem fieragħ

Gruppi ta’ residenti xebgħu jisimgħu kliem fieragħ mingħand il-Prim Ministru, speċjalment wara l-aħħar stqarrija tiegħu li jeħtieġ li jinstab bilanċ bejn l-imwejjed u s-siġġijiet li qed jimblokkaw il-bankini u l-ispazji pubbliċi.

“Aħna ktibnielek diversi drabi, bgħattnielek it-talbiet u l-proposti tagħna, għamilna serje ta’ protesti u azzjonijiet, iżda bqajna qatt ma rċevejna xi forma ta’ rikonoxximent mingħandek jew mill-ministri tiegħek. Issa qed toħroġ tgħid li ċ-ċittadini jistgħu jafdaw il-gvern tiegħek u jeħtieġ li tinstab soluzzjoni. Wara li ilna snin nqattgħu ljieli bla rqad, nippruvaw ninnavigaw bankini imblokkati, u naraw l-bliet u l-irħula tagħna jiġu sfigurati, issa qed tgħidilna li qed tisma’”, qalu r-residenti.

Jekk il-Prim Ministru jrid juri li huwa serju, ir-residenti qalu li qed jistennew li jiltaqa’ magħhom fi żmien ġimgħa sabiex jiddiskutu din il-kwistjoni flimkien. Fid-dawl ta’ rapporti riċenti ta’ bullying u theddid intimidanti mingħand sidien ir-restoranti lejn residenti li ma beżgħux jitkellmu, l-urġenza li hemm bżonn li biha tiġi indirizzata din il-kwistjoni qed issir aktar evidenti.

“Jekk nibqgħu ma nisimgħux mingħandek b’data stipulata għal laqgħa fi żmien ġimgħa, tkun qed tikkonfermalna li dan tiegħek huwa kollu kliem fieragħ. Ir-residenti madwar Malta u Għawdex kollha għandhom għajnejhom fuqek u qed jistennew mingħandek”, stqarrew ir-residenti.

Fil-qasir it-talbiet tar-residenti huma:

1. Reviżjoni tal-Liġi: tiġi riveduta u msaħħa l-liġi attwali dwar stabbilimenti tal-ikel li joperaw fuq spazju pubbliku.
2. Rilaxx tal-Informazzjoni: ikun hemm trasparenza fil-mod kif l-Awtorità tal-Artijiet toħroġ il-permessi għall-okkupazzjoni ta’ art pubblika.
3. Rikors għal Azzjoni: ir-residenti jkollhom id-dritt li jieħdu azzjoni sabiex jiġġieldu l-abbuż u jassiguraw li jsir infurzar serju.

Dawn it-talbiet huma ssapportjati minn residenti ġejjin minn Tas-Sliema, il-Belt Valletta, Wied il-Għajn, il-Mellieħa, San Pawl il-Baħar, il-Kottonera, Marsaxlokk u r-Rabat Għawdex.

Nistednukom iżżuru s-sit elettroniku dwar il-kampanja Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini – www.ilbankinitaccittadini.org – fejn tistgħu ssibu aktar informazzjoni dwar li dak li qed nipproponu.