VRP's contribution to Valletta

Your last edition included comments made by the president of Din l-Art Helwa on the state of Valletta. It is certainly unfair for him to state that "little or no progress has been made" in the rehabilitation of Valletta when it is enough to see the multitude of projects done in all the major buildings (both ecclesiastical and civil) and in all the main areas of Valletta.

There is no doubt that a lot still needs to be done but this certainly does not diminish the great amount of progress that has already been achieved.

The Government has since 1987 given particular attention to the needs of Valletta. This strong commitment was shown in the establishment of the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee (in which Din l-Art Helwa has a representative) and the Valletta Rehabilitation Project. Substantial amounts of money have been spent on Valletta projects, both for restoration and environment improvement projects.

One would have expected DLH to mention that prior to 1987 Valletta was truly in a state of abandonment. Many of its buildings needed immediate structural works. VRP is given due importance within the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure. Having said this, however, it must be stated that Government is discussing ways of strengthening the set-up of the VRP.

VRP would, of course, like to do much more and yet the amount of projects in hand at the moment is a truly impressive one. The major projects being done are:

1. the substantial upgrade of the Upper Barrakka garden;
2. finalising phase 1 of upgrading of Hastings Garden;
3. conservation of Cappella d'Italia chapel at St John's Co-Cathedral;
4. conservation of the organ at St John's Co-Cathedral;
5. conserving the fresco at the entrance to the Palace;
6. restoring the façade of Our Lady of Victory church (a project being done in collaboration with DLH);
7. conserving the wall paintings at Our Lady of Victory church;
8. conserving a wooden ceiling at the Palace;
9. conserving the Perez d'Aleccio fresco at the Palace; and
10. various restoration works at the Jesuits' church.

To these must be added various minor projects. VRP is also instrumental in initiating various other projects through other Government departments and authorities which do not always acknowledge our input.

DLH's president mentions various matters which require a reply:

Master Plan - this is being prepared by Government architects;
Fort St Elmo - Government is currently evaluating proposals;
Pavements, rubbish, etc, - these are not VRP's responsibility;
Shop fronts: while this is MEPA's responsibility, VRP contributes as a consultant to MEPA. Contrary to what has been stated there is an enormous improvement in shop fronts and certainly no new aluminium ones;
Balconies: VRP contributes to MEPA's scheme for restoring them;
Street lighting: this matter is being tackled by Enemalta; and
Telephone wiring: Maltacom have considerably reduced overhanging wiring and this can be verified by everyone.

What Valletta needs more than anything else is that everyone contributes to its protection as a World Heritage site. A lot more can be done if there is collaboration and co-ordination, a role already invested by Government in VRP and its management committee.