Sant keeps up pressure over petrol station

Labour leader Alfred Sant has intensified his criticism of what he claims was a Cabinet decision to order the Malta Resources Authority to grant permission for the construction of a petrol station in Mellieha.

Speaking during an activity at Ta' Xbiex as part of the local council election campaign, Dr Sant said the government had been very quick to arrange matters so that Anthony Vella, known as l-Bucks, would be given a parcel of government land in the middle of a residential zone.

Dr Sant said that rather than holding an inquiry into what had happened, the government was keener to find out how documents that made the issue public had been leaked.

The government has denied Dr Sant's allegation, saying Mr Vella already had a licence to operate a petrol station and the MRA had been asked for confirmation of that. Dr Sant said many Maltese and Gozitans felt the government had taken them for a ride. The Labour Party wanted to send a signal that it would continue telling the truth and carrying out what it promised.

Local councils managed by Labour were an example of how the party wanted to administer the country, Dr Sant said. Even Alternattiva Demokratika was saying that Labour-led local council projects were beneficial and it would support them whenever it could.

Dr Sant added that in spite of a reduction in council funds, Labour councillors continued to implement what they promised.

He appealed to those who had not been deprived of their vote to support Labour on Saturday, which would continue exposing all those who were deceiving the people.