Facts... facts... facts for Rabat

I was informed that Rabat Labour candidates shall be on air on their radio station and curiosity made me hear what's new. They kicked off by criticising the absence of various councillors to council meetings. Allow me to say that I had communicated electronically with the mayor of Rabat informing him of the particular date/s that I would be available.

These were more often than not ignored completely. Reference was also made to ex-councillor Amanda Ciappara's resignation which was solely due to personal commitments prior to her marriage. Mayor Charles Azzopardi's resignation was surely a hitback to all which was not talked of during the programme! The mayor also remarked about reduction in budget.

This was done in one particular year when the government assigned three dockyard workmen to do the maintenance work in the locality. This would have saved hundreds of liri to the council in contracting out similar work had they been utilised properly.

But, instead they ended up at loggerheads with the boss! The mayor also remarked that PN candidates are not united. Letters signed by all candidates and sent to residents of Triq Bir ir-Riebu informing them that PN councillors and candidates had intervened with Minister Jesmond Mugliett to have the water services changed and new culverts built are a proof of our unity. The message is clear - PN councillors have already started working for the benefit of the community.

Among other things the mayor referred to damages caused by the September 2003 storm wherein most of the damages are still unreparied. Various collapsed rubble walls and the unrepaired Koronja Bridge which falls under the council's responsibility are true cases in point. The mayor also referred to the contract agreement for Lm75,000 worth of roads in Rabat wherein he accused the PN majority of having signed the wrong contract. The mayor ought to know that thanks to this contract Rabat has acquired Lm75,000 worth of roads irrelevant of where they have to be. What amazed me is that Dolores Coleiro was incorrect when she said that the council did the roads in Bahrija. It was the central government that did these roads as they were financed by the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads. It was the PN councillors who insisted that since the original roads in the contract did not fall within the parameters of this contract, Bahrija roads are the appropriate ones.

Referring to the ornamental street lamps, the mayor does not know that when the lights were installed the previous council had to wait for the system to fall under the devolution process, which process took place last year or so! It was for this reason that they were connected with temporary system of wiring.

Finally may I point out that the mayor also spoke of a sum between Lm25,000 and Lm35,000 for the extensive patching done in Triq Ghar Barka. The readers may wish to note that at the start of this council, PN councillors put forth a motion to have the streets of Ghar Barka resurfaced as they had already planned. The contractor's estimate which was in hand was only put in file by this Labour majority in council! This PN motion was not approved on the grounds that the roads will be resurfaced subject to priorities. To date these roads are all potholes!

One candidate commented that the government is an expired one... And people should vote for MLP candidates. I would conclude by asking what does this have to do with the locality? The central government is one thing and local government is another. People have to cast their votes on judgement of what the council has done for the past three years! The truth is there to be seen! You only reward those who deserve it!