Give it top priority

Much has been written about the wisdom or folly of the government's decision to build a new Parliament building on the site of the former opera house. Some spoke about the government's priorities going awry. Others complained that it is an unnecessary expense at a time when the country can least afford it. Yet others, like the UHM and the GWU, complained that their workers would be sacrificed in order to make up for the cost of the building.

As far as priorities go, I think that a 62-year-long wait is sufficient to qualify the subject to make it to the top of the list. This site has for far too long been an eyesore and a black eye to the city of Valletta and Malta as a whole. It is about time serious action is taken to heal this open wound.

There is legitimate concern about the expense involved, however if private enterprise steps in to complement government money the impact could be substantially lessened.

Several governments have toyed with the idea of rebuilding and have teased the public only to retreat from their promises and proposals time and time again. Whether construction takes place now or later, taxpayers' money will be involved anyway, so I fail to see what the unions' argument is all about. What the unions should be after is information regarding what happened to war damage funds allotted for reconstruction so many years ago. At least this information would put an end to speculation that the money ended up in the wrong pockets.

Had we rebuilt way back then, the expenditure would have been but a fraction of what it will cost today and by now the cost would have long been forgotten.

Postponing again will only cost a few more millions of liri a few years down the road.