I read with interest the article in The Times last Sunday in which an expert said that many of Malta’s buildings probably wouldn’t withstand a strong earthquake.
It goes without saying that myself and the rest of the Malta Developers Association would welcome such an event with open arms. In fact, I pray for it to happen every night before bed.
Some people view a potential earthquake as a catastrophe whose effects should be mitigated at all costs. They see death, devastation and economic turmoil. I see an opportunity.
Imagine if we could demolish entire town centres that are full of old buildings and replace them with hotels, apartment blocks and supermarkets without having to worry about outdated concepts like ‘beauty’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘standards’. If a quake measuring seven or more on the Richter scale were to happen, that dream would become a reality.
The resulting construction boom would almost certainly boost the economy and create jobs for anyone not buried under the rubble.
And as a bonus, a devastating earthquake would solve the problem of overpopulation. That’s why the MDA has been campaigning for Malta’s almost non-existent building codes to be relaxed even further. In the coming weeks, we will also launch a proposal for all new buildings to be made out of Lego.
On behalf of the MDA, I urge the government to undertake activities that are known to induce earthquakes, such as fracking, legalising abortion and throwing Moviment Graffitti members into a volcano.
Michael Stivala is the President of the Malta Developers Association.
