Imagine this: you wake up every morning to the sight of a massive construction site right in your backyard. For years, residents of Naxxar’s Triq il-Kbira have been living with this reality, and they’ve been raising the alarm about it for just as long. But their cries for help have fallen on what seems like deaf ears.

Locals first started complaining about the site, located just off the main road leading to the Naxxar Parish Church, back in 2016. The plot, owned by a local developer, was supposed to be transformed into a block of apartments. But what was meant to be a swift project has turned into a years-long saga that’s left residents frustrated and disillusioned.

“It’s been five years now,” says Maria, a long-time resident who asked not to use her full name. “We’ve seen no progress, just a big hole in the ground. It’s an eyesore, and it’s affecting our property values.”

The residents have taken their concerns to the local council, the Planning Authority, and even the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). They’ve complained about the lack of progress, the dust, the noise, and the potential environmental impact. But their efforts have yielded little result.

“We’ve been passed from one department to another,” says Joe, another resident. “We’ve filled out forms, sent emails, made calls. But nothing changes. It’s like we’re banging our heads against a wall.”

When Hot Malta reached out to the Planning Authority for comment, they responded that the project had been approved in 2016, but works had not yet started due to “various reasons”. They also noted that they had received complaints from residents and were “looking into the matter”.

Despite the lack of action from authorities, the residents of Triq il-Kbira have not given up. They’ve formed a committee, held meetings, and even organized protests. They’ve also reached out to local politicians, hoping to pressure the authorities into action.

“We’re not against development,” says Maria. “But this is our home. We have rights too. We deserve to live in a clean, safe environment.”

Joe adds, “We’re not asking for much. Just some accountability, some transparency. We want our voices to be heard.”

As the construction site enters its sixth year, the residents of Triq il-Kbira remain determined. They’re planning another protest, this time with the support of local environmental groups. They’re also considering legal action.

“We won’t give up,” says Maria. “We’ll keep fighting until something changes. This is our home, our community. We deserve better.”

In the meantime, the hole in the ground remains, a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in Malta’s construction industry. And the residents of Triq il-Kbira continue to wait, their voices echoing unheard in the halls of power.