Editorial: The house that crashed down

The collapse of a massive structure in Corradino last Saturday graphically, and tragically, symbolised the manner in which the powers-that-be have allowed safety standards in the construction industry to be sacrificed on mammon’s altar.

What caused the collapse and who was ultimately responsible have yet to be established by the experts. However, the horrible consequences are hard facts: a youth in the prime of his life perished, three were fighting for their lives and two required treatment in hospital.

Robert Abela was quick to state that all those involved need to shoulder their responsibilities. Does he realise that includes himself as prime minister, his cabinet colleagues and people they hand-picked to head entities tasked precisely with knocking much-needed sense into an industry mainly powered by greed?

Indeed, his first responsibility is to examine why the promises his government made along the years – to better regulate the industry and make it safer – have still to materialise or remain in the works. It’s an examination of conscience. He should then communicate that information to the public together with a well-defined plan of immediate action.

Though he does not...