MNEDIJA KONSULTAZZJONI PUBBLIKA DWAR IL-LIĊENZJAR TAL-KUNTRATTURI

Insaħħu r-regolamentazzjoni fis-settur tal-kostruzzjoni biex ikollna kwalità ogħola, jissaħħaħ l-infurzar u jkollna aktar serjetà fit-tħaddim ta’ dan is-settur. Għall-ewwel darba, se tkun qed tiġi introdotta liċenzja għall-kuntratturi tal-kostruzzjoni. Dan huwa proċess ġdid li huwa meħtieġ u li se jirregola lil min jopera f’dan is-settur lil hinn mil-liġijiet ċivili u kriminali li għandna fis-seħħ diġà.

Regolamenti li jindikaw min jista’ jkun kuntrattur. Jirregolaw min jista’ jwettaq dawn ix-xogħlijiet li lkoll nafu r-riskji u r-responsabilitajiet li jġibu magħhom. Jirregolaw aħjar il-mod kif il-kuntratturi joperaw f’dan il-qasam.

Kull min jaħdem f’dan is-settur huwa diġà suġġett għal obbligi legali mill-aspett ċivili mill-kunċett tal-appalt u r-regoli tad-danni fost oħrajn. Hemm obbligi marbuta ma’ sitwazzjonijiet li jwasslu għal prosekuzzjoni kriminali. Wieħed irid ifakkar wkoll fir-regolamenti tas-saħħa u s-sigurtà fuq il-post tax-xogħol kif wkoll regolamenti li qed jinħarġu mill-Awtorità tal-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni.

Se nkompli nsaħħu dan il-qafas ta’ regolamentazzjoni b’dawn il-licenzji. Dan se jsir billi jkollna regolamenti li jindikaw sistema ta’ awtorizzazzjoni ta’ min jista’ jwettaq xogħol ta’ twaqqigħ, skavar jew tqattigħ u xogħol ta’ bini.

Dan il-qafas regolatorju, huwa meħtieġ u se jkun mezz importanti fis-sensiela ta’ bidliet li se nkomplu nwettqu biex insaħħu r-regolamentazzjoni fil-qasam tal-kostruzzjoni.

L-għanijiet li jiġu introdotti il-liċenzji tal-kuntratturi huma:

  • Min irid jaħdem f’dawn l-oqsma irid ikun identifika ruħu mal-Awtorità dwar il-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni u min għandu liċenzja biss ikun jista’ jwettaq dan ix-xogħol
  • Jiġu stabbiliti kriterji li wieħed irid ikollu biex jikseb liċenzja
  • Jiġu definiti aħjar ir-responsabbilitajiet ta’ kuntrattur
  • Jissaħħu l-mezzi tal-infurzar fil-konfront ta’ kuntratturi liċenzjati

B’dawn ir-regolamenti rridu nagħmlu distinzjoni ċara bejn min hu serju u responsabbli fil-mod kif jaħdem minn min iwettaq dan ix-xogħol b’metodi inaċċettabbli, b’nuqqas ta’ responsabbiltà u ta’ kwalità skadenti.

Min mhux lest li jaħdem kif suppost mhux se jkollu aktar postu fis-settur tal-kostruzzjoni.

Pajjiżna u l-pubbliku in ġenerali qed jistenna li jkollna settur tal-kostruzzjoni li jitħaddem minn min ikun serju fil-mod kif jaħdem,  li juża’ l-aqwa standards u li jkun responsabbli f’kull pass li jagħmel.

Ix-xogħol irid isir b’rispett sħiħ lejn id-drittijiet ta’ terzi persuni.

Ix-xogħol irid isir bl-inqas impatt fuq il-madwar u bl-inqas inkonvenjent possibbli.

Ix-xogħol irid isir minn min għandu l-ħiliet meħtieġa.

Din hija l-ewwel darba li qed inniedu qafas lejn liċenzjar sħiħ ta’ dawk kollha li jaħdmu fis-settur tal-kostruzzjoni. It-twaqqigħ, l-iskavar u l-bini huma l-ewwel tliet attivitajiet li se jkollhom il-ħtieġa tal-liċenzja għax huma it-tliet oqsma ewlenin fix-xogħol fis-settur. Irrid ngħid, li dan il-proċess ta’ liċenzjar se jkun segwit minn proċess li jitħabbar fi żmien qasir, biex jibdew jiddaħħlu skill cards għall-ħaddiema li jaħdmu f’dan is-settur b’mod obbligatorju.

Sal-lum, l-unika forma ta’ liċenzja li għandna, hija l-liċenzja ta’ bennej (mason’s license) li ġiet introdotta lejn l-aħħar tas-seklu 19.

Din il-liċenzja qed tintalab bħala rekwiżit fil-qasam tal-liċenzja ta’ kuntrattur tal-bini. Qegħdin nippjanaw li r-regolamenti marbuta ma’ din il-liċenzja jiġu aġġornati fiż-żmien qasir biex inkomplu insaħħu il-qafas regolatorju anke f dan ir-rigward.

Nedejna konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar il-qafas legali li jintroduċi liċenzja ta’ min jaħdem fil-qasam tat-twaqqigħ, skavar u bini. Din hija riforma estensiva li tbiddel il-qafas regolatorju u għalhekk timmerita li jkollha proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni iddedikat esklussivament għaliha.

Proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni li fih nisimgħu id-diversi perspettivi mhux biss ta’ dawk li joperaw f’dan is-settur li m’huwiex numru żgħir, imma rridu nisimgħu x’għandu x’jgħid il-pubbliku b’mod in ġenerali f’dan ir-rigward.

L-Avviż legali li qed inniedu ghall-konsultazzjoni pubblika għandu żewġ għanijiet prinċipali:

  • Jinħatar kumitat ta’ liċenzjar tal-kuntratturi fil-qasam tal-kostruzzjoni
  • Jistipula l-qafas regolatorju li permezz tiegħu tinħareġ liċenzja

Inżid ngħid li fl-aħħar jiem ġie ppubblikat abbozz tal-liġi li permezz tiegħu se nkunu qegħdin nemendaw l-Att dwar l-Awtorità dwar il-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni biex ikun jista jinħatar kumitat speċjalizzat għall-ipproċessar tal-liċenzji kif wkoll se nkunu qed nitrasferixxu s-setgħa li għandu d-Direttur tad-Dipartiment ghax-Xogħlijiet Pubbliċi biex joħroġ liċenzja tal-bennej u din tgħaddi lil Awtorità tal-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni.

Ir-regolamenti li qed inniedu jindikaw min jista’ jkollu liċenzja. Jindikaw kif tiġi evalwata applikazzjoni għall-ħruġ ta’ liċenzja. Tispjega wkoll is-setgħat fejn jidħol l-infurzar fil-konfront tal-kuntratturi. Il-konsultazzjoni pubblika tibda’ mil-lum u se tkompli sa nhar il-21 ta’ April 2023.

Determinati li mill-1 ta’ Ġunju 2023, l-Awtorità tal-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni tibda tilqa’ l-applikazzjonijiet biex mill-1 ta’ Novembru 2023 jibda jitħaddem il-qafas regolatorju l-ġdid.

Irrid infakkar li d-dħul ta’ qafas regolatorju ġdid jeħtieġ żmien ta’ tranżizzjoni iżda f’dan iż-żmien ta’ tranżizzjoni l-Awtorità xorta se jkollha s-setgħa li twaqqaf kuntratturi li jonqsu fit-twettieq tax-xogħol tagħhom. Tidħol fis-seħħ is-setgħa tas-sospensjoni u anke tar-revoka. Infakkar ukoll li llum, l-Awtorità diġà għandha s-setgħa li toħroġ stop notice meta l-affarijiet li jkunux qed jimxu sewwa fuq sit ta’ kostruzzjoni. Bl-istop notice jieqaf ix-xogħol fuq dan is-sit partikolari qabel jiġu regolati l-affarijiet.

Is-sospensjoni tal-liċenzja jew ir-revoka tal-liċenzja tfisser li kuntrattur ma jaħdem fuq l-ebda lant tax-xogħol. Il-liċenzja se jkollha valur importanti għall-kuntrattur. Kull min se jikseb liċenzja jew jimxi sew jew hemm il-konsegwenzi fosthom li tintilef il-licenzja li jkollu kuntrattur. Biex kuntrattur jaħdem f’dan is-settur jew ikollu liċenzja jew l-operat tiegħu jieqaf.

Għall-ewwel darba se nirregolaw dan is-settur bid-dħul ta’ liċenzja għal dawn it-tlett oqsma. Din hija bidla radikali u bidla li se tħalli impatt pożittiv. Bidla fid-direzzjoni t-tajba.

Dan huwa pass importanti ferm lejn kwalità ogħola fis-settur tal-kostruzzjoni. Mezz ieħor biex ikompli jissaħħaħ l-infurzar f’dan is-settur.

Pajjiżna u l-poplu irid aktar serjetà kif jitħaddem dan is-settur.

L-abbozz tal-Avviż Legali issa jinsab għall-Konsultazzjoni Pubblika li tagħlaq fil-21 ta’ April li ġej u jista’ jinkiseb mis-sit elettroniku tal-konsultazzjoni https://www.gov.mt/mt/publicconsultation/Pages/default.aspx

jew mis-sit tal-Awtorità tal-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni:  https://bca.org.mt/licensing-of-contractors/

Opinjonijiet dwar l-abbozz ta’ regolamenti jistgħu jintbagħtu wkoll b’email fuq [email protected]

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Coastal SAGE Project: Collaboration in Geoscience and Remote Sensing

We are an island State. Our physical reality means that we are never far away from the coast. For us, coastal areas are key zones, not merely for recreation purposes but also for our economic activity and social life – especially when these intersect with the tourism sector – a pillar of our economy.

We may cherish it, but we did not create our coast. It is the result of ceaseless natural processes, mainly but not exclusively, of erosion. Time has taught us a great deal about such processes, although by nature, they are hardly able to predict. This is truer in the context of Climate Change, as it induces the rise in sea level and increases storm surges. With increasing extremity of such events comes increasing severity of their effects. As elements eat our land’s edges away, the zones which are so central to our economic and social life, become hazardous to public safety with the chances of rock-falling and landslides rising.

The Department of Public Works repeatedly intervened upon such occurrences. However, Helios, the storm which hit our shores this winter reminded us, that such triggering elements are only becoming more frequent and more intense. Helios’ most severe effect was the boulder collapse in Popeye village which could have had more tragic consequences. Five years ago, another storm took away Gozo’s Azure window. Two events that help us understand that there is a three-fold risk: for public safety, for the environment, and for our collective economic and social well-being. It is our responsibility, as the Ministry for Public Works and Planning to mitigate if not annihilate such risks, to the public, and the environment, and we would like to, as much as possible, guarantee the long-term enjoyment of our coastal resources.

A new approach, a break with tradition

Natural and erosion processes may be unpredictable, but we have optimized and refined our ways and our tools to address the area. We have shifted from an ad hoc reactionary approach to risk mitigation to a research-based strategic planning approach of risk assessment. This is in essence what Coastal SAGE (Satellite-Assisted Governance for Erosion) was about – inducing, improving, and refining coastal monitoring and protection. Techniques which help us map high-risk zones and provide the insight to put resources to good effect first to mitigate the risk then to manage them.

In my experience in the public sector, I learned that the best outcomes emerge from collaboration. Here we adopted an inter-disciplinary approach which is yielding results. COASTAL SAGE was indeed one such positive result. The Ministry, teamed with the Geosciences, the Communications and the Computer Engineering Departments at the University of Malta, to initiate the project, as we sought the input of the Malta Council for Science and Technology so that together we drew the project proposal.

The University departments fed the knowledge present locally across different areas, while the MCST enabled us to tap into the wealth of knowledge harboured by the European Space Agency. We also included the Italian National Research Centre to share their knowledge and experiences in the field. Thus SAGE – Satellite Assisted Governance of Erosion – is truly the positive outcome of a fruitful collaboration with a visionary purpose.

This work only initiated the project and we won’t stop here. We want to see to it that there is life after the project. Our vision is to absorb the data, intelligence, and knowledge available, to enable us to develop the tools and techniques to act efficiently and effectively.It was a successful project. We set a few aims including:

  • improving the local techniques for coastal monitoring,
  • to correlate remote sensing measurements with in-situ and drone observations.

Objectives we achieved. What started as a new initiative, uncharted territory for the Department of Public Works, turned out to be a direction the Department intends to follow for the long run. Such monitoring tool has given the Department the necessary equipment to develop innovative coastal governance methods. I say this specifically for the monitoring of coastal changes, and coastal resources both if they are natural or if they are constructed. Such development, may I emphasize, was long overdue.

We are proud of the results. However, a knowledge gap persists. In addressing such gap and the immediate and long-term concerns, we continue to build bridges with academic and research bodies who gained information about the field over the years. Over and above bridges we are gaining access to funding and investment for such research in this policy area which is only enriching Maltese society. I repeat, we have a responsibility to mitigate the risks for public safety; and the environment; and to ensure that we may all enjoy and benefit from our coastal resources for the long-term.

Coastal monitoring enables us to achieve this also in a context characterized by Climate Change. We are literally leaving no stone unturned. The Department is tapping into all the available data and research opportunities to lead a more proactive response to coastal erosion. SAGE thus, fits right in a wider ecosystem of initiatives taken by the Department of Public Works to address coastal erosion. From the sharing of knowledge and practices in the two Mediterranean Coastal Erosion Conferences, to the Coastal Protection Strategy for the Maltese Islands which is being formulated, we have adopted a clear unequivocal strategic proactive approach to address coastal erosion phenomena. The strategy, fully funded by DG Reform, will shortly identify priorities and solutions to current challenges and to future challenges likely to be triggered by the change in climate.

The Coastal Sage project, whose end we mark today, is therefore a part, albeit an important one, in a wide long-term stratagem in coastal risk management. It might have reached its tail end but it is not the end of the road for this strategy.Indeed we plan to turn the SAGE project into the SAGE programme. We plan to continue to build capacity and further our collaborations, to perpetuate optimized coastal monitoring. We plan to continue to grow in knowledge, increase safety and ensure long-term enjoyment of our coastal resources.

 

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KWALITÀ AQWA

Kulħadd qed jitkellem dwar il-bidla fil-klima. Sas-sena 2050 għandna miri ċari li jridu jintlaħqu. Jeħtieġ li jkollna ekonomija u attivitajiet li jwasslu għal inqas emmissjonijiet.

Filwaqt li nitkellmu dwar dan qajla nirrealiżżaw li 40% tal-enerġija li tintuża fl-Ewropa hija marbuta ma’ attivitajiet fid-djar u fil-bini li aħna nużaw ta’ kuljum.

Dan ipoġġilna l-isfida li mhux biss naraw li nibnu bini li jkun isbaħ u b’metodi ta’ għolja. Imma jeħtieġ li dak li nibnu illum ikun bini li juża inqas enerġija. Din hija bidla importanti ferm li rridu nwettqu mingħajr ebda telf ta’ żmien.

Biex naslu għal dan irridu nkunu aktar effiċjenti fl-użu tal-enerġija biex il-konsum innaqqsuh kemm jista’ jkun. Fattur ewlieni li jikkontribwixxi għal konsum qawwi ta’ enerġija huwa l-bini tagħna u l-mod kif konna u għadna nibnu sal-lum. Huwa għalhekk kruċjali li nibdlu radikalment il-metodi tagħna ta’ kif nibnu biex mhux biss intejbu l-kwalità tal-bini tagħna imma naraw li dan ikun jiffunzjona b’sistemi ta’ effiċjenza fl-użu tal-enerġija.

Din il-bidla importanti nistgħu inwettquha biss jekk kull min huwa involut fil-qasam tal-kostruzzjoni u l-propjetà jagħti s-sehem s-sħiħ tiegħu. Żviluppaturi, kuntratturi, sidien ta’ propjetàjiet u l-professjonisti f’dan il-qasam fosthom project supervisors, periti u inġiniera kollha jridu jagħmlu l-parti tagħhom biex ikun żgurat li l-bini jkun jaħdem b’effiċjenza enerġetika. Issa sar importanti wkoll għall-konsumatur li jkun se jixtri l-propjetà, li jesiġi m’għand min se jixtri, li jipprovdilu binja li tkun effiċjenti fl-użu tal-enerġija.

L-istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji qed jimxu lejn sistemi ta’ evalwazzjoni ta’ self li jara x’inhuma l-kwalitàjiet tal-binja li se tiġi finanzjata.

F’dan kollu hemm settur ieħor importanti ħafna li wkoll irid jagħti l-kontribut tiegħu biex naraw li din il-bidla sseħħ tassew. Dan huwa s-settur tal-Banek u l-Istituzzjonijiet Finanzjarji. L-istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji qed jimxu lejn sistemi ta’ evalwazzjoni ta’ self li jara x’inhuma l-kwalitàjiet tal-binja li se tiġi finanzjata.  Il-konsumaturi fiż-żmien li ġej jistgħu jiffaċċjaw sitwazzjonijiet fejn l-infieq tagħhom fuq is-self li jagħmlu ivarja skont kemm il-binja li jkunu se jixtru tkun taħdem b’effiċjenza enerġetika. Propjetà b’inqas effiċjenza enerġetika tista’ tfisser rati ogħla ta’ imgħax u għalhekk il-prezz tas-self ikun ogħla jew li saħansitra ma jingħatax self.

Huwa obbligu tal-Banek u l-Istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji li jinfurmaw lill-pubbliku b’dan it-tibdil li qed jippjanaw. Il-Banek mistennija jibdew jitolbu lill-klijenti tagħhom Ċertifikati aġġornati dwar l-effiċjenza enerġetika tal-propjetà li se jkunu qed jiffinanzjaw. Dan se jsir filwaqt li l-Awtorita dwar il-Bini u l-Kostruzzjoni, BCA ser tkun qed taġġorna hija wkoll iċ-Ċertifikat dwar l-Enerġija ta’ kull binja, magħruf bħala Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Dan iċ-ċertifikat irid ikun aġġornat għar-realtajiet tal-lum għaliex kif qed jinħadem s’issa mhuwiex adekwat.

Jekk naħdmu flimkien nagħmlu l-bidliet li hemm bżonn fil-mod kif nibnu inkunu żgur qed intejbu l-kwalità. Teżisti it-teknoloġija meħtieġa biex tgħinna nwettqu dawn il-bidliet. Għandna industrija tal-kostruzzjoni li jeħtiġilha timmodernizza minn sistemi antikwati biex tilqa’ għall-isfidi l-ġodda tal-lum. Bis-sehem ta’ dawk kollha involuti nistgħu naslu biex flimkien ikollna bini sostenibbli, bini li jħares l-ambjent, fuq kollox ikollna djar aħjar u ta’ kwalità għolja biex jitgawdew mill-familji Maltin u Għawdxin.

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Towards Energy Efficiency Financing

Climate Challenges and Opportunities for Real Estate: Time for Action

Bank of Valletta – 24th January 2023

Today’s event was truly an important one. An excellent initiative at the right time. I recall meeting Kenneth Farrugia at the beginning of his tenure as CEO. It is encouraging to see that Bank of Valletta have grasped the importance of energy efficient buildings and are showing their willingness to be an important stakeholder in this change – one that can be postponed no longer. We must upgrade the level of energy efficiency of today’s buildings.

The time to act is now.

This is a change of significant importance for the Maltese Government, the business community and the country as a whole. Now is the time to join forces, with a multitude of stakeholders, but Banks none the least, to drive this change together. It is estimated that only 40% of energy is consumed inside buildings, and buildings are responsible for no less than 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. The buildings that we use could be more energy efficient.  The entire building and property sector must evolve and change to address these realities.

Behavioural changes, by building users, developers and building professionals, are needed to achieve action on energy efficiency. Purchasing a property is, from a financial point of view, one of life’s biggest, if not the biggest, commitment. A lot of hard work and sacrifice goes into purchasing a property to make it your home. And whilst building a comfortable home for one’s family needs is everyone’s priority, however, little, if any, thought is put into ensuring that the property purchased is of the highest quality, in terms of materials and building technology used in its construction.

The consumer, unfortunately, is hardly aware of the conditions that he should ask for.

Let’s call a spade by its name: The technologies adopted in the construction of a property is, often, traditional and in various cases leaves much to be desired. This is, often, a reflection, and not the best of reflections, on the key players in this sector: Developers, professionals and contractors. It is high time that investors consider thoroughly the trends in the sale of properties, and also other investment opportunities, while those opting to invest further in the property market are to ensure that they acquaint themselves with the new realities that Climate Change is bringing with it.

There is no doubt that the real estate sector in Malta was, is, and remains one of the most, if not the most, robust sectors of our economy. The property market continues to thrive – despite the global challenges that we are part of. Capital appreciation remains strong, and the cost of purchase is significant. However, the quality aspect remains one which is much to be desired. And in this respect, Banks have a crucial role to play.

It is Banks that finance the absolute majority of property purchases, be they residential or for commercial purposes. It is therefore, pertinent that Banks explain their obligations in relation to the financing of property both to the public in general as well as investors in this sector. Banks need to roll out a clear way forward – call it a roadmap if you wish – on the manner in which they shall observe and adhere to these obligations in evaluating the financing of the property purchases in relation to energy efficiency.

The Energy Performance Certificate that certifies the energy efficiency of each building will gain more importance. Energy efficient properties are in the public interest – and the changes that we would like to see are no excuse, for anybody, or anyone, be they developers, be they banks and other financial institutions, to complicate peoples’ lives and or adopt heavily bureaucratic procedures.

Access to financing for the purchase of a property is a key element to ensure that more people become owners of their homes. I must emphasize, that we cannot simply look at this matter as it was the financing of just another business transaction like any other – for it is not. Developers, on their part, need to up their game to ensure that the financing of property is not hindered as a result of the lack of energy efficient qualities in buildings placed on the market.

It is high time that consumers buying a property know the energy efficiency levels of the property.

Our aim should be to have green and sustainable buildings. This requires radical changes in the way we build but also radical changes in the way we think, act, and behave. We need to create awareness on the part of property purchasers with regard to energy efficiency. This is part of the change required.

In planning new buildings, both private and public, we must seek to speak a new language: the language of renewables, energy efficiency, better insulation of the buildings, reducing heating, cooling, ventilating, applying climate-sensitive design techniques, energy-efficient light sources, and advanced lighting technologies – these must be given primary importance. Energy efficiency not only saves money, and provides a cleaner, healthier environment but it also creates jobs.

Recently, we inaugurated Project House. The head office of the Works Department, known as Projects House in Floriana, underwent a €4 million investment that makes it more energy sustainable. This is in line with Government’s commitment for the de-carbonization of our economy. Government’s commitment is to make Malta an economy that is almost free of emissions. It is a strategy which is central to the development of the economic model of the future – the near future.

The European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan provided funds for more energy efficiency in public buildings and commercial buildings. Our target is to reach the 2050 Sustainable Development Goals as declared by the United Nations and we shall lose no time, and effort, in reaching these targets.

Budget 2023 has now extended benefits in relation to the installation of PV panels for residential houses and renovations of private sector buildings. An essential aspect of the evolution that is necessary for the construction and building sector is buildings that are more energy efficient on two levels, the newly built and the retrofitting of older ones. Efforts are underway to update Energy Performance Certificate issued by the Building and Construction Authority to reflect the new requirements.

This change requires a collective effort. It requires that all stakeholders: Government; Banks; Developers and Consumers are on board. This change cannot happen unless there is a collective effort. This change requires a broad discussion whereby all issues are addressed and solutions found – collectively. Banks have a primary role to play – and communicating, clearly, with stake holders and consumers is a must. Let us not look at this change as a bureaucratic process – but one that shall reap benefits for all. Let us, together, walk the talk in both domestic, commercial, and public buildings.

The cost of inaction is too high. We will only succeed once we bring everyone on board. We have to see the present challenges as new opportunities. Let us ensure that this, much needed change, is done in a just and fair manner. For we all stand to gain from energy efficient buildings. Let us all join forces to make this change happen.

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Rispett lejn l-istituzzjonijiet

Il-Gvern Laburista,  minkejja l-ħafna sfidi, wettaq riformi kbar biex jisaħħu l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ pajjiżna. Biddel il-mod kif jinħatru l-membri tal-Ġudikatura minkejja li sa ftit tas-snin biss ilu kienu jinħatru biss skont ir-rieda tal-Prim Ministru u ma kienx hemm mekkaniżmu indipendenti li jwassal għal dawn il-ħatriet. Kienu minn kienu dawk li okkupaw karigi fil-Ġudikatura u f’istituzzjonijiet oħra, dejjem ingħataw rispett kemm fi żmien li okkupaw il-kariga u anke wara.

Ma nistgħux ngħidu l-istess għal numru ta’ esponenti tal-Oppożizzjoni Nazzjonalista bil-mod kif tkellmu fid-dibattitu riċenti dwar bidla fil-liġi tal-Kummissarju tal-Istandards. Mhux biss rajna nuqqas ta’ rispett, imma saħanstira saru kummenti dispreġġjattivi, totalment inaċċattabbli fil-konfront ta’ persuna li b’tant żelu u impenn wettaq ix-xogħol kemm ta’ mħallef kif wkoll ta’ President tal-Qorti.

Fl-ewwel ġimgħatejn ta’ seduti parlamentari ta’ din is-sena, li matulhom iddiskutejna l-emenda għall-Att dwar il-Kummissarju tal-Istandards fil-Ħajja Pubblika segwejna l-attakk feroċi tal-Oppożizzjoni fuq l-għażla tal-Gvern tal-Prim Ministru Robert Abela biex jinħatar il-Prim Imħallef Emeritus Joseph Azzopardi f’din il-kariga. Il-kritika tal-Oppożizzjoni dwar din il-ħatra saħansitra wasslet għal kummenti dispreġġjativi  personali kontrih.

Dan kien nuqqas kbir ta’ rispett lejn bniedem ta’ integrità liema bħalha, rispettat minn kulħadd li l-unika ħtija tiegħu f’għajnejn tal-Oppożizzjoni hija li darba, għexieren ta’ snin ilu kien kandidat mal-Partit Laburista. Iridu jnessuna li kienu huma stess li tawh ċertifikat tal-integrità meta ħatruh bħala Imħallef. U jridu jnessuna wkoll li fl-ewwel konsultazzjonijiet li kien hemm bejn il-Prim Ministru u l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni dwar il-ħatra tal-Kummissarju tal-Istandards, kien hemm il-qbil min-naħa tal-Oppożizzjoni dwar il-ħatra tal-Prim Imħallaf Emeritus f’din il-kariga.

In-nies qed jistaqsu kif il-pożizzjoni tal-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni dwar l-għażla tal-Prim Imhallef Emeritus Joseph Azzopardi inbidlet minn waħda favur għal waħda kontra. Mistoqsija li twassal għal numru ta’ mistoqijiet oħra. In-nies qed tistaqsi min verament huwa l-kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista jekk mal-Prim Ministru Robert Abela qal iva imbagħad meta mar lura d-Dar Ċentrali beda jgħid le. Bħalma qallhom l-ex Dekan tal-Fakultà tal-Liġi, il-Professur Kevin Aquilina biex ikunu kredibbli iridu għall-inqas iġibu raġuni waħda għaliex Dr Azzopardi mhuwiex idonju biex jokkupa din il-kariga.

Bin-nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn min imexxi jew saħansitra min kien imexxi l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ pajjiżna, nkunu qegħdin nibgħatu messaġġi ħżiena lill-poplu tagħna.

Ir-reżistenza tal-Oppożizzjoni għall-ħatra tal-Prim Imħallef Emeritus f’din il-kariga wasslithom biex jagħmlu kutrumbajsa oħra milli imdorrijin jagħmlu u jopponu l-emenda li tintroduċi l-anti-deadlock mechanism biex meta ma jkunx hemm qbil dwar din il-ħatra, issir b’maġġoranza sempliċi minflok b’żewġ terzi tad-deputati fil-Parlament. Saħansitra irmew proposta li kienu għamlu huma stess fil-Manifest Elettorali tagħhom tal-2017 biex jiddaħħal dan il-mekkaniżmu.

Mhix ix-xewqa tal-Gvern li jitħaddem dan il-mekkaniżmu imma ladarba b’kapriċċ, l-Oppożizzjoni trid tibqa’ toġġezzjona ħatra leġittima bħal din tal-Prim Imħallef Emeritus, allura aħna fid-dover li naraw li l-ħatra issir biex l-istituzzjoni tkun tista’ tiffunzjona.

Wara kollox m’aħniex nivvintaw ir-rota. Dan il-mekkaniżmu jeżisti kważi f’kull demokrazija u hemm bosta pajjiżi fost l-aktar demokraziji żviluppati fid-dinja fejn l-anqas biss jeżisti għaliex ħatriet importanti fl-istituzzjonijiet isiru minn maġġoranzi sempliċi fil-Parlamenti tagħhom.

Lil hinn mill-kwistjoni dwar dan il-mekkaniżmu importanti li qed indaħħlu f’din il-liġi, tibqa’ l-kwistjoni ewlenija kemm verament nirrispettaw l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ pajjiżna. Sħaqt fil-Parlament li bin-nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn min imexxi jew saħansitra min kien imexxi l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ pajjiżna nkunu qegħdin nibgħatu messaġġi ħżiena lill-poplu tagħna.

Jekk in-nies jibdew jaraw fost dawk li suppost jirrappreżentawhom, persuni li jitkellmu b’disrispett lejn min okkupa karigi għolja fl-istituzzjonijiet, allura x’messaġġ ta’  fiduċja qed nibgħatu lin-nies? Għalhekk nibqa’ ntenni li jekk veru rridu nirrispettaw l-istituzzjonijiet u nkomplu naħdmu biex insaħħuhom, l-ewwel irridu nirrispettaw lil dawk kollha li, kultant anke b’sagrifiċċji persjonali, resqu ‘l quddiem u daħlu biex jokkupaw karigi importanti fl-istituzzjonijiet tal-istat. Ir-rispett jista’ jintwera anke jekk ikun hemm kritika jew diskussjoni dwar il-hidma ta’ dik l-istituzzjoni u min ikun mexxiha. Dak huwa parti mid-dibattitu politiku f’demokrazija. Id-dikjarazzjonijiet li smajna minn esponenti tal-Oppożizzjoni żgur li marru lil hinn minn dan. Dan ir-rispett għandu jibqa’ jintwera anke wara li dawn il-persuni jkunu temmew il-ħatra tagħhom u bħalma jiġri spiss, jingħataw opportunità jkomplu jservu lill-Istat Malti f’xi kariga jew oħra.

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Ħidma favur titjib fil-kwalità fil-qasam tal-ippjanar u l-kostruzzjoni

Bħala gvern irridu naċċertaw li min joffri is-servizzi f’dan il-qasam jkollu l-kompetenzi u l-permessi meħtieġa biex iwettaq ix-xogħol.

Is-settur tal-ippjanar u l-kostruzzjoni f’pajjiżna evolva matul is-snin. Huwa fatt magħruf li s-settur tal-kostruzzjoni huwa settur li jħalli diversi impatti fuq pajjiżna. Għaldaqstant, irridu nindukrawh filwaqt li narawh jaħdem f’qafas regolatorju aktar b’saħħtu li jirrispetta lil dawk kollha li b’xi mod jew ieħor ikunu qed jintlaqtu mill-iżvilupp li jkun għaddej. Minkejja l-progress li sar, attwalment qed jinħass il-bżonn li dan is-settur ewlieni f’pajjiżna filwaqt li jsir wieħed aktar sostenibbli, jiġedded biex ikun jista’ joffri kwalità ogħla. Biex dan it-tiġdid ikun jista’ jseħħ hemm bżonn mhux biss direzzjoni mill-gvern iżda wkoll parteċipazzjoni sħiħa minn dawk kollha involuti. Hemm bżonn titjib fil-mod kif jitfassal u jitwettaq l-iżvilupp. B’dan il-mod inkunu nistgħu nagħtu aktar serħan il-moħħ lil min ikun se jixtri propjetà u innaqqsu kull inkonvenjent u l-ħsara lil dawk il-familji li jgħixu biswit sit ta’ kostruzzjoni.

Qed ikompli jsir ix-xogħol meħtieġ biex tkun aġġornata s-sistema dwar skill cards għal dawk li jaħdmu fis-settur filwaqt li qed jitħejja l-qafas legali għal sistema ta’ reġistrazzjoni u liċenzjar tal-kuntratturi biex inkunu nistgħu intejbu l-kwalità tax-xogħol fil-kostruzzjoni. Bħala gvern irridu naċċertaw li min joffri is-servizzi f’dan il-qasam jkollu l-kompetenzi u l-permessi meħtieġa biex iwettaq ix-xogħol.

L-iskill card filwaqt li se toffri serħan il-moħħ lil konsumatur li qed jingħata servizz minn persuna kwalifikata, fl-istess waqt se twassal għall-titjib fl-istandards tal-industrija u l-prattiċi tas-saħħa u sigurtà. Mill-banda l-oħra, permezz tal-liċenzjar u l-klassifikazzjoni tal-kuntratturi se jkun żgurat li l-kuntratturi jkunu mħarrġa b’mod adegwat u li jkollhom il-ħiliet suffiċjenti biex joffru servizz aħjar u jiġu prevenuti l-inċidenti fuq il-lant tax-xogħol.

Biex inkomplu nsaħħu dan it-tiġdid, bħalissa għaddejin ukoll b’taħdidiet ma’ numru ta’ korpi kostitwiti fis-settur tal-ippjanar u l-kostruzzjoni fosthom mal-Kamra tal-Periti biex jiġu introdotti National Building Codes. Dawn il-building codes għall-ewwel se jkunu marbuta primarjament mal-istandards tat-twaqqigħ, tal-iskavar u tal-bini u aktar tard isiru building codes oħra dwar oqsma differenti tal-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni. Il-building codes se jipprovdu pjattaform regolatorja u teknika għall-industrija biex tkun assigurata kwalità ogħla kif isir il-bini. Dan huwa pass importanti għax apparti l-proċess tal-ippjanar biex jinħareġ il-permess ta’ kif għandha tinbena binja, issa ser nidħlu wkoll fid-dettal tekniku ta’ xi kwalità ta’ xogħol irid isir fil-bini tal-proġett.

Jeħtieġ tissaħħaħ il-kultura ta’ għarfien favur aktar saħħa u sigurtà fuq il-post tax-xogħol ħalli nipprevjenu l-inċidenti fuq il-post tax-xogħol. L-Awtorità tas-Saħħa u s-Sigurtà fuq il-Post tax-Xogħol għandha rwol ċentrali f’dan kollu mhux biss f’dak li huwa tixrid ta’ informazzjoni biex tiddeduka lil min iħaddem u lill-ħaddiema dwar is-saħħa u s-sigurtà fuq il-post tax-xogħol, iżda wkoll mill-att ta’ infurzar li huwa aspett kruċjali. Matul is-sena 2022, saru ‘l fuq minn 7,000 spezzjoni f’siti ta’ kostruzzjoni u nħarġu aktar minn 300 stop notice fejn kien hemm nuqqasijiet f’siti ta’ kostruzzjoni. Din is-sena kommessi li nkomplu fejn ħallejna is-sena li għaddiet biex nevitaw l-inċidenti fuq il-post tax-xogħol.

Is-sena 2023 trid tkun is-sena li matulha nwettqu bidliet importanti. Kull min huwa involut fis-settur tal-ippjanar u l-kostruzzjoni jeħtieġ jifhem aħjar x’inhuma r-responsabbiltajiet tiegħu u dawn jerfagħhom. Il-partijiet kollha jeħtieġ ikunu on board, mhux biss l-iżvillupaturi iżda wkoll il-periti, il-benneja kif ukoll il-project supervisors. Barra minn hekk, kull min huwa involut fil-kostruzzjoni irid jirrealizza wkoll li xogħolu ma jispiċċax ġaladarba jitlesta l-proġett iżda dak li jkun irid jibqa’ kontabbli tax-xogħol li jkun wettaq.

 

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Ħniena Ġusta

Soċjetà b’saħħitħa ma titkejjilx biss mill-ġid materjali. Anke jekk il-ġid materjali huwa essenzjali għal soċjetà b’saħħitħa. Iżda hemm kejl ieħor li jiddistingwi poplu minn ieħor: is-Solidarjetà li l-poplu juri ma’ dawk fil-bżonn.

Lejn il-bidu tal-Papat tiegħu, Papa Franġisku tkellem dwar ‘’il-globalizzazzjoni tal-indifferenża’’.  Dan għamlu f’kuntest ta’ nuqqas ta’ ħarsien globali f’soċjetajiet avvanżati ma dawk l-aktar fil-bżonn. Bħala poplu, bħal kull poplu, għandna n-nuqqasijiet tagħna – iżda żgur li ma aħniex indiffferenti ma dawk l-aktar fil-bżonn. Kull darba li l-poplu Malti jkun mitlub jgħin lil min fil-bżonn, iqum għall-okazzjoni u jagħti xħieda b’saħħitħa ta’ solidarjetà.

Il-kelma ‘ħniena’ għalina l-Maltin mhix sempliċement kelma li nużaw – hija parti mit-tessut soċjali tagħna, hija dik li tagħmilna Maltin u li tiddistingwina minn ħaddieħor, karatteristika li dejjem iddistingwiet lill-poplu tagħna – mhux biss issa, iżda minn dejjem.

Il-valuri tal-ġustizzja soċjali, u l-appoġġ lill-batut, huma mnaqqxa fil-qlub tal-Maltin.

Is-soċjetà Maltija hija moderna, avvanzata u kosmopolitana. Iżda hija wkoll soċjetà ħanina, li taf tħobb u tgħin. Il-valuri tal-ġustizzja soċjali, u l-appoġġ lill-batut, huma mnaqqxa fil-qlub tal-Maltin.

Jekk immorru lura fl-istorja ta’ pajjiżna naraw eżempji konkreti ta’ poplu ħanin u li jaf iħobb u jgħin. Jgħin mhux biss lil ħutna Maltin stess, iżda saħansitra popli oħra l-bogħod ferm minn xtutna. Mal-erbat irjieħ tad-dinja insibu proġetti ta’ fejda b’riżq popli oħra fil-bżonn. Dan apparti illi f’diversi okkażjonijiet gruppi ta’ Maltin marru barra minn xtutna jgħinu lil min hu fil-bżonn.

Mal-milja tas-snin, Malta tagħna għamlet progress ekonomiku kbir. Illum pajjiżna, minkejja li huwa żgħir fid-daqs, għandhu tkabbir ekonomiku li jiżboq dak ta’ pajjiżi ferm akbar minna fl-Ewropa. Raġuni ewlenija ta’ dan il-progress hija r-reżiljenża tal-Maltin, u s-sens qawwi imprenditorjali li għandna fostna. Bla dubju illi l-politika għaqlija li dejjem ħaddem il-Partit Laburista mill-Gvern inċentivat lill-Maltin biex jaħdmu u jirnexxu. Għax aħna partit b’ruħ soċjali, li qalbna tħabbat għal dawk l-aktar fil-bżonn. Għax il-politika tagħna mibnija fuq l-kredu soċjalista laburista li għandhu fiċ-ċentru tiegħu lill-bniedem.

Il-politika tagħna mibnija fuq l-kredu soċjalista laburista li għandhu fiċ-ċentru tiegħu lill-bniedem.

Ikkunsidraw biss fatt wieħed: kważi tlett snin ilu d-dinja iħakmet minn pandemija globali. Madwar id-dinja ntilfu miljuni ta’ impjiegi u fallew għexieren ta’ eluf ta’ negożji. F’Malta konna fost il-ftit eċċezzjonijiet li dan ma seħħx. Ma seħħx għax il-poplu tagħna wera reżiljenża qawwija, u għax Gvern Laburista wieżen in-negozji u lill-ħaddiema. L-istess qed jagħmel bħalissa meta fl-Ewropa għaddejja gwerra. Mhux talli ma għotorniex, iżda l-ekonomija tagħna kompliet tikber u toħloq ix-xogħol.

Iżda l-ħajja mhix biss ekonomija u flus. Is-saħħa hija l-aktar ħaga għażiża li għandhu l-bniedem u n-nuqqas tagħħa joħloq sfidi enormi lil min saħħtu ma ttihx aktar. Fil-ħidma tiegħi bħala Ministru irrid nixpruna ħidma akbar lejn it-tkattir ta’ kultura favur aktar saħħa u sigurta fuq il-postijiet tax-xogħol. Irrid li flimkien ma’ stakeholders inwasslu biex is-settur tal-kostruzzjoni ikun regolat aħjar kemm għall-benefiċċju ta’ min jaħdem fis-setturu kemm ta’ min jgħix viċin l-iżvilupp u ta’ min qed jonfoq ammonti sostanzjali biex jakkwista propjeta.

Il-mard iġib sfidi kbar, mhux l-inqas dawk finanzjarji. Hawnhekk ukoll il-poplu dejjem wera solidarjetà qawwija ma ħutna fil-bżonn minħabba mard. Anzi, f’dan is-sens, il-poplu tagħna huwa solidali immens.

L-għada tal-Milied, l-Istrina. Għal ġurnata sħiħa ttellet attività fuq l-istazzjonijiet kollha tat-televiżjoni f’pajjiżna, li matulha l-poplu kien mistieden jagħti l-appoġġ finanzjarju biex ngħinu lil Malta Community Chest Fund tgħin lil min ikollu bżonn l-kura minn mard qalil. Sena wara l-oħra, l-Maltin jikkontribwixxu bi ħġarhom, u kull sena tinġabar somma flus kbira. Din is-sena ma kinitx eċċezzjoni u l-poplu għal darboħra reġa’ kien ġeneruż ħafna. Ix-xogħol li jagħmlu tal-Community Chest Fund huwa tassew imprezzabbli.

L-għajnuna lil ħutna l-aktar fil-bżonn hija ħniena ġusta li bħala poplu nemmnu bis-sħiħ fiha u li, fil-ġimgħat u x-xħur li ġejjin, se nkomplu nindukraw.

 

 

 

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Soċjetà li tħobb u tagħder

Dalwaqt l-Istrina. Il-Maltin u l-Għawdxin jikkontribwixxu bi ħġarhom. Jinġabru flejjes kbar, għal kawża ġusta. Meta titħabbar somma sabiħa, kif dejjem ikun il-każ, kulħadd kelma waħda: Aħna poplu li joffri solidarjetà ma’ ħutna l-aktar fil-bżonn.

Hemm bżonn, madankollu, li minn żmien għal żmien, nirriflettu dwar jekk aħniex solidali s-sena kollha – u b’solidali ma nifhmux biss fil-ġbir ta’ flus għal kawżi ġusti. Solidali fir-rispett, u l-mogħdrija li noffru u nesprimu ma xulxin.

Dinja mgħaġġla

Il-pressjonijiet tal-ħajja ipoġġu fuq il-bniedem stress u ansjetà. Id-dinja nbidlet. L-aspettattivi tal-bniedem żdiedu – u dan huwa riżultat tal-progress qawwi li seħħ fil-livell tal-għajxien tagħna.

Dak li sa ftit snin ilu kien meqjus bħala lussu, jew kapriċċ, illum sar meħtieġ. Ftit ħin ta’ mistrieħ b’xi safra mal-familja, l-użu ta’ mezzi tat-teknoloġija li mingħajrhom qajla nistgħu naħdmu, jew nikkomunikaw ma’ xulxin. U elf ħtieġa oħra. Ħwejjeġ essenżjali, li iżda biex insostnuhom irridu naħdmu għalihom.

Sew jekk int impjegat, jew taħdem għal rasek, l-isfidi huma dejjem kbar. Il-ħin mal-familja, u l-għeżież tagħna, irridu niżguraw li nsibuh. Sibniha tassew stramba s-sitwazzjoni meta, minħabba l-pandemija, kellna nbiddlu r-rutina li kienet ħakmitna.

Ir-rispett, jew in-nuqqas tiegħu

Ngħiduha kif inhi, l-paċenzja tagħna ma’ xulxin hemm bosta drabi li naqset ukoll. Forsi riżultat tal-pressjonijiet tal-ħajja, iżda neħħi r-rispett u l-mogħdrija lejn xulxin u jkollna sitwazzjonijiet xejn feliċi. Kull wieħed, u waħda minnha, għandna l-limitazzjonijiet tagħna – inkluż fejn tidħol il-paċenżja u l-mogħdrija. Saret soċjetà ta’ nies li taqbżilna malajr. Ta’ sikwit, inkunu pronti niġġudikaw. ‘Qis mitt darba, u aqta’ darba’ jgħid il-Malti – iżda, ta’ spiss, iż-żarda naqtawha malajr wisq. U social media mimlija b’ġudizzji u kummenti xejn sbieħ fuq l-oħrajn.

Sfidi soċjali

Kultant tkun traġedja li ddaħħalna f’qoxortna. Iġġegħlna nistaqsu ħafna mistqosijiet dwar xi stajna għamilna aħjar biex ċerti sitwazzjonijiet ma jseħħux.

Ħares ftit lejn il-medja soċjali. Kemm inkunu pronti biex niġġudikaw, biex nattakkaw, personalment, lil min ma jaqbilx magħna. Kemm inkunu pronti biex nagħtu aġġettivi, li jweġġgħu, lil ħaddiehor.

Forsi, mingħajr ma nintebħu, nkunu qegħdin inkissru individwi u familji. Forsi, mingħajr ma rridu, nkunu qegħdin nagħtu lok għal kultura li tkattar il-mibgħeda.

Dan iwassal għal antagoniżmu, nuqqas ta’ rispett u fil-proċess it-tkasbir tad-dinjità tal-bniedem. Dan iseħħ fil-familja, fejn id-dar, minflok il-post tat-trankwilità u sigurtà, issir post ta’ tensjoni u biża’.

Dan iseħħ ukoll fis-soċjetà, fejn membri tagħha jingħataw il-ġenb u jintrifsu minn għajrhom stess. Imbagħad, isseħħ traġedja, u nintebħu li, bħala soċjetà, nkunu fallejna bil-kbir.

 L-Edukazzjoni

It-tisħiħ tat-tessut soċjali, li jdakkar is-solidarjetà u l-wens, ma jseħħx f’iżolament. L-edukazzjoni hi l-ingredjent ċentrali biex dan iseħħ. L-edukazzjoni mhux biss fil-klassi iżda kullimkien. Fuq il-post tax-xogħol, fil-familja u fl-għaqdiet li nipparteċipaw fihom. L-edukazzjoni trawwem l-ispirtu tat-tolleranza imma mhux biss. Għandha tħeġġiġna nifhmu li aħna lkoll differenti minn xulxin iżda, minflok naraw din id-differenżi bħala ostaklu, nqisuha bħala opportunità – biex nitgħallmu minn xulxin u biex infittxu l-għaqda fid-diversità.

Irridu nifhmu u nirrispettaw aktar lil xulxin. Id-diversità tagħna hi dik li tagħmilna soċjetà. Soċjetà iżda li tkun aktar ħanina u li lesta toffri spalla lil xulxin dejjem.

Il-Politika

Bhala politiku, nhossni f’paċi miegħi nnifsi li, permeżż tal-Partit Laburista, hdimna biex f’pajjiżna individwi jingħataw id-dinjita’ li tixirqilhom.

Għax hadd ma huwa ċittadin tat-tieni klassi. Konna ahna, li kontra oppożiżżjoni qalila, tajna ċ-ċans biex persuna li ż-żwieg tagħha ma jirnexxix, tibda kapitlu gdid; biex persuni tal-istess sess ikollhom id-dritt li jiffurmaw familja u biex aktar persuni jingħata lilhom r-rigal, tant sabiħ, tal-ulied, permeżż ta’ riformi kbar fil-ligi tal-IVF.

Konna u għadna fuq in-naha t-tajba tal-istorja fejn jidħlu riformi li jseddqu d-dinjità tal-bniedem. Iżda fadlilna aktar x’nagħmlu. Permezz tal-politika tal-mogħdrija se nkomplu nahdmu kemm nifilhu biex inkattru l-wens u l-gustiżżja soċjali f’pajjiżna. Bħala politiċi se nkomplu nfittxu dak li jgħaqqadna u nibnu fuqu.

Irridu nkomplu nkunu kuraġġużi biex nagħmlu aktar bidliet biex nibnu fuq it-tajjeb tas-soċjetà tagħna u niżguraw li ħadd ma jħossu imwarrab.

Soċjetà li tħobb u tagħder

Il-ħidma ta’ kull wieħed u waħda minnha trid tkun li jkollna soċjetà li taf tħobb u tagħder aktar. Soċjetà fejn l-individwu mhux numru iżda persuna bid-dinjità tiegħu u tagħha. Mhix faċli, iżda b’ħafna rieda tajba minn kulħadd, naslu. Il-festi li se jibdew f’dal jiem għandhom ifakkruna li r-rispett u s-solidarjetà m’humiex xi ħaġa staġjonali imma tas-sena kollha.

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Higher financing opportunities for energy-efficient buildings

The topic of energy in the past few weeks and months has been very topical, particularly from the political and economic facets. We have all noticed the debates across the EU and how the impact of energy prices affects our economies. We are at an exciting juncture. Yet we need further messages of stability and decisive action to disregard. We have a full agenda that we need to address, and the energy efficiency issue in buildings is significant to the government. We must also take action to see that the impact of surging energy prices is kept to a bare minimum, if not negligible.

 

We must also take action to see that the impact of surging energy prices is kept to a bare minimum, if not negligible. 

 

However, there is a bigger picture: our commitment to decarbonising our economy. And we have to look at this from various angles, not only about the amount of fossil fuel we use. It is about the way forward to ensure continuity and economic activity, to instil growth in our economies, and to ensure that we provide what families and people need. But at the end of the day, we must always bear in mind that we have a clear focus, that we have a clear goal, and that the goal is undisputed. 

 

Interestingly, in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, with increased teleworking, we have seen a jump in greenhouse emissions because of the greater use of our homes. Only 40% of energy is consumed inside the buildings, and buildings are responsible for no less than 36% of greenhouse gas emissions – undoubtedly a sizable amount. The buildings that we use could be more energy efficient. 

Did you know that 75% of the building stock in Europe is not energy efficient? 

The general sentiment around the building and construction industry yearns for improved quality not just in design and aesthetics but also building techniques and materials.

There have been many changes in how we live and work, and more changes are necessary to address the climatic changes we face. We also must look at the new directives that are being introduced, as well as directives that are already in force and how we intend to act upon them to achieve the established objectives, and we should ask an obvious question. Where do we stand? 

The general sentiment around the building and construction industry yearns for improved quality not just in design and aesthetics but also building techniques and materials. Earlier this morning, I had an opportunity to address a press conference tied to budget measures.

As well as our ministry’s plan to update to see that this sector evolves, an essential aspect of the evolution that is necessary for the construction and building sector is buildings that are more energy efficient on two levels, the newly built and the retrofitting of older ones.

One of the roles the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) plays is this education, and we have started several initiatives in this regard.

We need to understand that there is a need for a paradigm shift in how we plan and develop our living spaces. We need to make people more aware of the importance of energy efficiency in buildings, a matter that needs to be addressed in both existing (or old) buildings, not only in newly built ones.  One of the aspects that I like to communicate when I discuss the sector is that for too long in our country, we have always looked at the construction and the real estate sector from the supply side. We need to ask what the consumer’s position is – a missing factor that has given rise to several missed opportunities in the field. 

 

It is high time that consumers buying a property know the energy efficiency levels and property. The supply side will understand that it is time for a change when the consumers ask these pertinent questions more vigorously and continuously. So, it is high time that consumers know that there are rights related to energy efficiency in this regard. 

It is high time that consumers buying a property know the energy efficiency levels and property. (…) So, it is high time that consumers know that there are rights related to energy efficiency in this regard. 

One of the roles the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) plays is this education, and we have started several initiatives in this regard. In this respect, we have also increased the tempo of our media campaigns and are working with the Ministry for Energy to support our message through legislation.  Once the Legislative framework is in place, we have the challenge of compliance. I will be delving into this further, even considering other changes that we are noticing and being stated over time. 

 

The establishment of the BCA – which focuses on the holistic quality of our buildings – was an essential change in the Maltese construction ecosystem. When we discuss this sector, most of the time we talk about the Planning Authority, we speak about planning permits, but we need to start having a broader view and discuss the quality of these buildings. 

Consumers need to be more aware that we could achieve higher and better-quality levels. In that case, we must ensure that all players in the various construction sector have the essential technical and professional skills to practise in their respective fields. The time for amateurism is over. So, it is not merely a question of just legislation; it is not just a question of government. We will only succeed once we bring everyone on board with the ultimate good aims.

Retrofitting to maximise environmental sustainability is a distinct type of industrial activity within the construction sector, one which will give rise to new business opportunities in this specialised sector. 

I don’t believe in a revolution that happens overnight but in a gradual evolution. We have to evolve into having a better building stock. One of the initiatives my ministry has taken in the past few months, which I saw when I was still Parliamentary Secretary responsible for European Funds, is the retrofitting of Project House.

This building was commissioned by the Public Works Department in the late 80s or 90s. Still, by today’s standards, it has a poor energy efficiency standing and is crying for a retrofit. It will cost €4 million to upgrade this building; however, the Public Works Department and the Ministry see the retrofitting of this block as an opportunity to showcase best practices in the field, an example of the kind of eco-friendly projects we need in Malta.

Soon, energy-efficient buildings will benefit from higher financing opportunities. If they are going to make such a change, banks need to explain how they intend to make it. It would be a significant loss if banks were to take such decisions without considering the holistic approach and impact while our building stocks are at such a high level.

Retrofitting to maximise environmental sustainability is a distinct type of industrial activity within the construction sector, one which will give rise to new business opportunities in this specialised sector.

It is crucial not just for the government but for the whole economy and the whole sector and a way forward to ensure sustainability both from an environmental point of view and an economic and financial side of things.

Abou a week ago, I participated in a conference organised by KPMG wherein a bank official mentioned that banks are considering that when financing loans, they intend to take into consideration the qualities of a building and its energy efficiency when evaluating alone and the cost of a loan. Soon, energy-efficient buildings will benefit from higher financing opportunities. If they are going to make such a change, banks need to explain how they intend to make it. It would be a significant loss if banks were to take such decisions without considering the holistic approach and impact while our building stocks are at such a high level. 

Banks expect higher quality buildings and limited carbon footprint levels to finance projects, so we must understand that the time has come to change our methods and update our practices. 

The financing world expects higher quality buildings and limited carbon footprint levels to finance projects, so we must understand that the time has come to change our methods and update our practices.

As stakeholders, our noble objectives can only be achieved if we work together and take positive action today.

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The Time for Action is Now

The MEDPOWER2022 conference organised by The Foundation for Innovation and Research – Malta, has been an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, and chart the way forward, with experts in the field of Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Energy Conversion – namely engineers, researchers, scholars, and technicians as well as companies and private ventures.

The focus of my speech on the opening day of the conference was on Energy Efficient Buildings – a priority for my government. There are decisions which we cannot afford to postpone – Energy efficiency in buildings is one of them.

If we truly want our country to reach its environmental goals regarding emissions, energy-efficient buildings are a must. We must address the inefficient nature of today’s buildings and the time to act is now. Energy efficiency not only saves money, and provides a cleaner, healthier environment but it also creates jobs. It is an important contribution to achieve our 2050 decorbonisation goals.

On paper, the Energy Performance Building Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive are EU directives.  They set out how Europe can achieve a zero-emission and fully decarbonised building stock by 2050. It is estimated that by 2050 the Earth’s population will have grown by 3 billion. Now is, certainly, high time to build energy efficient buildings and retrofit existing building to achieve energy efficiency.

The global energy crisis means that more energy efficient buildings are needed. The European Commission estimates that Buildings are responsible for approximately:

  • 40% of EU energy consumption
  • 36% of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions

Together, the directives promote policies that will help

  • achieve a highly energy efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050
  • create a stable environment for investment decisions
  • enable consumers and businesses to make more informed choices to save energy and money

But in essence, these EU Directives are about a better standard of living, a greener, healthier environment. Better homes. Cleaner energy. Healthier lives.

The entire building and property sector must update and adapt itself to these realities.

Behavioural changes, by building users, developers and building professionals, are needed to achieve action on energy efficiency. Potential property owners must be made aware of the energy efficiency factor in buildings they may be acquiring. It is essential that potential buyers are made aware of energy efficiency in buildings to further instigate a greater demand for such efficiency in buildings.

There are no ifs, and buts. We must be bold. It’s in Malta’s, and its environment, and its’ people’s, interest to be bold and induce further change in the property sector.

The Energy Performance certificate that certifies the energy efficiency of each building will gain more importance. There are clear indications that the energy efficiency of each property will begin to affect whether a person obtains bank financing and the price of that financing.

Government’s commitment is to make Malta an economy that is almost free of emissions. It is a strategy which is central to the development of the economic model of the future – the near future.

Our target is to reach the 2050 Sustainable Development Goals as declared by the United Nations and we shall lose no time, and effort, in reaching these targets. Significant improvements, in the use of renewable energy, have been made. According to the National Statistics Office (NSO) during 2020, the harvesting of renewable energy from grid-connected PV systems was estimated at 233.1 GWh, an increase of 20.5 per cent over the previous year.

The domestic sector has been the primary consumer of PV installations, accounting for 93.6 per cent of the total stock of PV installations. Budget 2023 has now extended the installation of PV panels for residential houses and renovations of private sector buildings. In 2020, the stock of PV installations amounted to more than 29,000, compared to roughly 27,000 in 2019, an increase of more than 6%. In 2018, it amounted to less than 25,000 installations.

Robust economic growth is a trademark of the current administration, and the construction sector is a major contributor to this growth.  In the first quarter of this year, contracts worth nearly three quarters of a billion euro were signed.

This was the best first quarter data ever to be recorded in our nation’s history. The average value per contract was 11% more than that observed in the same period in 2019, before the pandemic started.

Latest figures from the National Statistics Office show that apartments made up more than 70 per cent of the total number of approved new dwellings. But we must upgrade our standards in the planning and construction sectors. Banks are indicating that the energy efficiency qualities of a property and the size of a property’s carbon footprint will directly affect qualification for bank finance, and the cost of such financing for instance.

I expect commercial banks to be amongst the main stakeholders on this matter – especially in rolling out an information campaign to customers explaining the new procedures that shall be adopted from their end. Let me be clear: the way forward is not based on draconian measures. We need a sensible and reasonable evolution clearly intended to ensure that the property stock available is more energy efficient.

Energy efficient properties are in the public interest – and the changes that we would like to see are no excuse, for anybody, or anyone, be they developers, be they banks and other financial institutions, to complicate peoples’ lives and or adopt heavily bureaucratic procedures. We shall allow none of that.

In planning new buildings, both private and public, we must seek to speak a new language: the language of renewables, energy efficiency, better insulation of the buildings, reducing heating, cooling, ventilating, applying climate-sensitive design techniques, energy-efficient light sources, and advanced lighting technologies – these must be given primary importance.

I encourage you all, professionals, and businesses, to take the lead. Government is committed to provide the right incentives. Let us all join forces to make this change happen. Let us, together, walk the talk in both domestic, commercial, and public buildings. The cost of inaction is too high.

This requires radical changes in the way we build but also radical changes in the way we think, act, and behave. It is a unique technological, social, and financial opportunity that should not be lost.

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