Labour pledges to fight illiteracy

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday promised supporters in Żejtun that a Labour government would fight illiteracy and make improving education one of its priorities.

In Żejtun, a Labour stronghold, Dr Sant was welcomed with noisy fireworks which trailed a red cloud of smoke. Residents, led by mayor Joe Attard and labour councillors, gave Dr Sant a warm welcome on his arrival.

Dr Sant hoped the Nationalist Party would, this time round, be contesting the local elections in Żejtun on March 8, when the general election will also be held, in contrast with what happened three years ago when the PN had decided not to field any candidates.

Mr Attard took Dr Sant round a purposely set up exhibition showing the work carried out in the locality over the past three years. There were also some residents doing colourful beadwork.

Mr Attard told Dr Sant his council had won awards for educating its citizens and for equality. The council had wanted to open an arts centre where the handmade crafts of residents could be exhibited and sold. Although a site had been earmarked for the purpose, the council was still waiting for its devolution. Although the council was the first to start working on a child day care centre and had been building one according to the advice given by the Social Development Ministry, the government opted to work with Birkirkara to develop a centre there, Mr Attard said.

The Żejtun council, however, could promise that the centre in the locality would be opening in spite of everything.

He also spoke about the 18 families and the agro-industry at San Niklaw and Xrobb l-Għaġin, which, he said, still did not have drainage services.

Dr Sant praised the Żejtun council, which, he said, had implemented more than 90 per cent of the promises made three years ago.

A new Labour government would be working with Żejtun to complete the ring road project in a bid to ease traffic in the centre and it would also upgrade the housing estate at Ħal Tmiem.

Dr Sant said a Labour government would also work to solve the drainage problem mentioned by the mayor and to open the child day care centre in line with its policy of promoting access to employment for women.