Valletta residents say Evans building should not be commercialised
Valletta residents gathered in protest on Saturday, expressing their desire for the Evans Building to be repurposed into a home for the elderly or serve some other civic function, as long as it continues to benefit the community. The demonstration took place on the steps of the Evans Building. During the protest, speakers highlighted the lack of attention from political parties over the past decades in safeguarding the rights and needs of residents. They emphasized that unless residents actively advocate for change, the situation is likely to deteriorate further. The protest was sparked by the government’s recent announcement of plans to grant a 65-year concession for the Evans Building to the Valletta Luxury Project, which secured the rights through a winning bid of €1.2 million annually. (Times of Malta)
PN, ADPD call for political responsibility on Sofia report
The Nationalist Party said that after more than 72 hours since the publication of the Sofia public inquiry report, “still no one has taken political responsibility.” The Opposition party said that over three days have passed since the published report found the Government guilty of “serious deficiencies” – something which it should admit responsibility for, according to PN. Since the publication of the report, “neither Robert Abela nor the responsible Ministers have borne any responsibility for their shortcomings,” the PN said. Meanwhile, the Green Party, ADPD, said that resignations of some of the individuals who occupy positions within construction-related entities, in the wake of the publication of the public inquiry report about what led to the death of Jean Paul Sofia, is merely a start and certainly nowhere near enough. (The Malta Independent)
Man gets 24-year prison sentence on rape conviction
A 33-year-old Nigerian man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after being convicted of raping his wife. The trial commenced on February 27, and the unnamed man faced charges on seven counts. While he was found guilty on the seven charges, he was acquitted of allegations related to compelling his wife into prostitution and living off her earnings. In addition to the prison term, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera, who presided over the closed-door trial due to its sensitive nature, ordered the man to pay a €10,000 fine in damages. (TVM)
