Council's stand on Zebbug roadworks

Reference is made to the article Zebbug PN Committee Defends Roadworks (September 23), in which it was stated that "the Nationalist Party's Zebbug section committee has defended the government in reaction to a call made by the Labour-led Zebbug local council for the government to make good the damage caused to residential roads during the redevelopment of nearby arterial roads".

Such comments initially bring a smile to one's face but, as mayor and as a resident of Zebbug, I cannot fail to take note of the fact that the Zebbug PN committee is committed to defend the PN at all costs, even at the expense of the residents of Zebbug themselves! In their endeavours to promote their party they have infamously and deliberately politicised a non-political issue.

The press conference by the Zebbug local council was held solely and exclusively in defence of the residents of Zebbug, as opposed to the Zebbug PN committee who are admittedly acting in defence of their party in government even if at the expense of the Zebbugin!

The Zebbug PN committee felt the need to "defend" the roadworks carried out under the Italo-Maltese Protocol. But the inevitable question arises: defend from whom? Although the Zebbug local council was not consulted at any stage of the planning and the actual reconstruction of the roads, the council is surely not against any development which benefits the community.

This was clearly stated in the press conference itself, to the ignorance of the Zebbug PN committee who, just like the Zebbug PN councillors, unsurprisingly enough opted not to attend! In this scenario the Zebbug PN committee's reaction to the council's press conference is superfluous if not ridiculous!

While acknowledging the above, the local council surely cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that no less than Lm744,000 worth of damages were caused to the residential roads of Zebbug. As readers are undoubtedly aware, heavy traffic was being diverted through the centre of Zebbug throughout the entire duration of the works, causing very visible and tangible damage.

Such extraordinary damage cannot be repaired through the council's ordinary financial allocation. ADT's Heinrich Semar himself expressed the view that the authorities should make good for the damages.

Yet Minister Jesmond Mugliett cannot care less as he does not even want to meet the council to discuss the issue!

This is undoubtedly unacceptable and the Zebbug council is fully committed to further pursuing the issue by all lawful means, if needs be even with the competent Italian authorities, and this in the sole best interest of the residents of Zebbug and not of some political party!