PM voices frustration over projects delayed by appeals

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday spoke of his frustration as projects continue to be delayed by the appeals process.

Describing it as a "challenge", Dr Gonzi said the government should start looking at ways to address the tendering procedures. Projects and works were constantly being mired down by contractors who persisted in appealing and suing.

"Do we stop the right of appeals," Dr Gonzi asked, as he defended the public sector, which came under attack during a business breakfast.

Representatives from constituted bodies, unions and organisations came together to hear a triumphant Prime Minister talk about his government's achievements and plans for the future.

He told those present that the upcoming budget would not be a pre-election exercise but it would serve as a concrete plan to render more success for the country.

While giving no indication about the election date, Dr Gonzi said the budget was the next chain in implementing his government's vision.

Turning to pensions, Dr Gonzi said he believed that the second pillar of pensions should not be introduced as yet because the economy was not yet in a position to absorb such a measure.

The second pillar is typically provided via the employer, normally with mandatory contributions, by redirecting part of the National Insurance contribution, but also allowing voluntary contributions.

The country may in the meantime look forward to the SmartCity project, which promises to turn Malta into a centre of IT excellence in the region.

However, it was important for the country to realise the need to generate enough workers for this sector and that is why the Nationalist government would underline the importance of providing student stipends.

The blows dealt by the closure of manufacturing companies like Denim and VF were an example of a country that could sensitively undergo change and provide alternative jobs without dishing out subsidies.

Dr Gonzi took the occasional indirect jibe at the Labour opposition telling those present there were certain people who believed that Malta operated in a vacuum and was alien to the impact of rising fuel prices.

It was also ironic that, while there was national consensus on the need to care for the environment, some people were bent on triggering controversy on the Sant'Antnin recycling plant.

The fuel price rises could have brought Malta to its knees, but the country managed to ride the wave.

Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech said indications were that the rate of growth in the second half of the year could even exceed the 3.5 per cent registered in the first six months.

Vince Farrugia, director general of the Chamber for Small Enterprise - GRTU, gave his usual animated intervention.

While applauding the Prime Minister's conviction and enthusiasm, Mr Farrugia asked Dr Gonzi to take a good look at the inefficiencies of the public sector. It was useless to say that the port reform had been carried out when the problems persisted, he said.

It was also pointless to brag on about the improvements to the environment when there seemed to be a missing link to make sure that supposedly trivial things, like pavements, did not remain in a state of disarray.

Dr Gonzi replied that the public sector was in fact registering a lot of success - suffice it to mention the massive number of online services now offered.

Describing the government's targets as "interesting", General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb said it was high time for the government to give something back to those struggling on their rate of pay.

Once the finances were back on track, the government should offload some of the burdens it had put on workers, Mr Zarb said.

The president of the Malta Employers' Association, Pierre Fava spoke about the problems faced by employers who have to contend with individuals who simply do not want to work, even if they are registering for work. Many persisted in presenting doctors' certificates to opt out of doing any potentially hard work dished out by their employers, he said.