On the Dot ...

On the supposedly newly-upgraded main Victoria to San Lawrenz road, about 100 metres from the Ghasri junction, stands a farm on the right hand side. At this point there is a dangerous open hole in the pavement, about four feet deep, which has been there for many weeks. Anyone walking by could fail to notice the hole and suffer grievous injury.

Time Tunnel

It has been pointed out to us that the BBC pips heard on local radio stations are mostly inaccurate because they indicate Greenwich Meantime only when they are caught from a shortwave receiver tuned in to a UK-based transmitter. When they are relayed from an intermediate position they are out by seconds; that is why they are heard at different times on radio stations.

Garbage Disposal

Despite several calls through this column, the no-man's land that is Ta' l-Ibrag Road area, Swieqi, opposite the Halland Hotel, remains in a decrepit, forsaken state. Hunters' hides continue to proliferate, rubbish and builders' debris continue to be strewn over the valley floor and rubble walls are vandalised for their raw material.

Stone Walled

It actually made the news that repair work on the St Paul's Bay bypass is underway. Undoubtedly, the public would be glad were this case to set a precedent; major projects would henceforth be carried out within the original time frames set out for them, lessening inconvenience and, possibly, even curtailing expenses.

Fine Think

Another measure that would no doubt expedite the completion of jobs on time would be the imposition of fines in such a way that, as per contract, funds would be taken directly from the bank accounts of the responsible parties, rather than these deciding to pay them on whim. This would ensure that no one tendered for projects unless one were fully confident of completing them on time.

Euro Vision

Would the powers that be kindly inform the public how much did the celebrations welcoming the euro cost? A detailed breakdown, including who was paid and why, would be greatly appreciated.

Little Minds

It would likewise be appreciated were the Home Affairs Ministry and the Communications Ministry let the people know why the findings of the inquiries into the fatal police shooting in Qormi and the near air miss over Zebbug will not be communicated to them. Who says the government is transparent and fully accountable!

Smart Moves

The permit connected to SmartCity allowed for debris and other inert waste from the demolition of factories to be loaded into barges and dumped out at sea. One wonders whether all that material would have helped towards land reclamation projects in the Salina area.

Bus Fare

Roads and Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett announced the rounding down of bus fares and road licences. However, according to the conversion tables issued by NECC, "new" bus fares will remain the same and road licence fees are being rounded down by a couple of cents. Much ado...

Euro Joking

In a classic case of bolting the stable door after the horse has fled, commercial banks are not allowing a multitude of people into their buildings at the same time. This means that clients, including mothers with babies in buggies and the elderly, are literally locked out in the cold, awaiting their turn. Their frustration threshold is further endangered when they realise that some of the people in the queue are simply there because ATMs are not working properly.

Sick Bay

An elderly lady who was sent home after visiting the Emergency Department received an Outpatients' appointment within the week. Yet, owing to the fact that she was hospitalised on the morrow, when a different firm of doctors was on the shift, she was told to disregard this. Although she has been out of hospital for a while now, the appropriate appointment papers have yet to be delivered.

Tricky Junction

There is no stop or give way sign in the junction from Trejqet l-Arznu into Triq Is-Salina, in the direction of Naxxar. This is presenting a very tricky situation especially at night, when visibility is less sharp, and to drivers who are unfamiliar with the area.