Bearing the brunt in Mdina

What Dennis de Lucca said about the Mdina Project (May 6) is right and correct. Congratulations to him and all. Every Maltese citizen agrees that Mdina should be in European shape. So do I as a resident of Mdina.

There are, however, two particular points of view about which we citizens differ. The mercantile sector might want to see our mediaeval walled town as a show window for Malta's tourist industry. We, residents, see it as the traditional silent city and a decent place in which our right to live should be safeguarded. We do not ask any privilege over that of any other citizen living in any other town or village.

The view of the former has gained priority of attention, both among the public and the private sectors. Mdina has become a rendezvous for Sunday strolls for families including the dog; a "must" for cruise liner hour trippers and the taxi-man delight for midnight Mdina tours.

Consequently, cafes, restaurants, souvenir-shops, cab-men, show-houses and museums must all remain open to cater for the million or so visitors that are brought to enjoy our city silence and door-knockers.

Us residents are not part of the Mdina project. We do not feature in this EU re-shaping of the town. We are the ghosts of the town.

Silent and immune to provocation. The dark fumes from huge vehicles servicing catering establishments with linens and edibles are not offensive. They are just air-freshening lavenders. And the drums of the bands in restaurants and discos at night are sleeping pills for insomnia sufferers.

Perhaps this explains why our local council flutters the blue star-studded flag from its balcony. Let us not, however, be deluded. Development funds from EU are no cake for the workers of the environment. They are mainly for the citizen. In Mdina, however, he is hardly allowed to pick the crumbs, if any are left.

We are now in the fifth year of this project. And all eager to set off fireworks to celebrate its inauguration. We seem, however, like chasing a wild goose. Its end is nowhere in sight.

Hardly half of it is finished. Greek Gate Square, Magazini Street, Holy Cross Street, Mesquita Square, St Paul Square, Archbishop Square, St Paul Street, Xara Palace Square, Inguanez Street and St Publius Square are yet almost untouched. Now, Minister Ninu Zammit pledges that what had not been done in five years will be done in five weeks.

We do not doubt his word. So says also his works supervisor. Every street has to be paved by July 5, he assured me when he asked me to move my car. He was sympathetic and sensitive to our problems. But when asked where would the Mdina people garage their car, or how were elders to walk to their homes, or carry gas cylinders, or mend the cracks in their walls, or clean their fittings and furniture, he could not offer an alternative.

"The Road Authority," he told me, "cannot privilege you with a parking space. It's your problem. Do like others. Look for one."

Like Prof. de Lucca and Minister Zammit he was also right. Even though mortifying. I was struck dumb and for a moment felt like one of the Jews herded out of his home by the Gestapo during World War II.

There was nothing else to do than keep repeating section 37 of the Constitution of Malta: "No property of any description shall be compulsorily taken possession of..." And nodding. And remembering Dom Mintoff's summer house at Delimara, and Kalaxlokk people and other Mdina residents clamouring for restoration or "adequate compensation".

And the Archbishop who, like us, does not pretend to be above other citizens. But like them. Wherever they are. This is what bears us in accepting civilly the inconveniences yet to come.