Sliema residents raise voices in anger over situation in the locality
Voices were raised and anger vented at a recent meeting organised by the Sliema Residents Association for residents to discuss their issues with local authorities, the association said in a statement."Residents complained to local councillors and PN
Voices were raised and anger vented at a recent meeting organised by the Sliema Residents Association for residents to discuss their issues with local authorities, the association said in a statement.
"Residents complained to local councillors and PN MPs (no PL MPs attended) about over-commercialisation, dirt and lack of garbage collections and funding, maintaining that politics is the cause of Sliema's woes, giving abusers the power of impunity. They reported a total lack of enforcement as seen in supply trucks causing chaos by double-parking, cars and motorbikes over speeding with no action taken, while ticketing booths cause obstacles on the promenade."
"Sliema's problems are felt to be systematic. Sliema's population has doubled from 13,000 in 2011 to almost 24,000 in 2024, without an increase in Local Council funding or infrastructure, resulting in drains overflowing onto Sliema's beaches. Maintenance is lacking everywhere; none of Sliema's fountains work, broken pavements are impassable to the elderly, while streetlamps have been out of order for two years," the association said.
"For the first time ever, homelessness is visible in the Qui si Sana area, with poverty on the rise, while some areas look like a ghetto. Residents feel forgotten however the Police pointed out that the Sliema police station has to handle Gzira, Ta' Xbiex and Msida, including Junior College, while low fines only encourage abuse," it said.
"Residents' frustration boiled over several times, not only as regards over-development that is ruining Sliema's quality of life, with too many permits are being issued."
"Changing the name of part of Tigne' Street to Robert Arrigo Street without public consultation was a bone of contention to hundreds of residents, as it requires widespread changes to legal documents. Residents are also up in arms about the fact that Sliema will be the last locality to get community police and that the Local Council has failed to apply for residents' parking schemes, while its audited accounts are not published and funds are seen to be wasted when they could be put to good use. "
Most frustration was vented about 'untouchable' developers, it said.
"Operators of bars and restaurants have added tables and chairs on public land with impunity, playing loud music outdoors, yet the police do not act to suspend offenders' licences," it said. "Similarly, tourism is a sacred cow and Sliema is being turned into a tourist slum because police do not take action against tourists walking half-naked in the streets and rowdy, drunken party boat revellers."
"Under this Government delinquents are protected, and well-meaning police officers are being held back from acting. Repeated calls by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and the Sliema Residents Association for a Carrying Capacity Study have been stonewalled by the Authorities for the obvious reason that it would confirm that the health and quality of life of Sliema residents are being undermined by over-development and lawlessness."
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