Sant highlights incompetence, conflicts of interest
Labour leader Alfred Sant this morning took a tour on the “Victory bus” to localities which, he said, highlighted government incompetence, corruption or conflicts of interest.
The tour started at Dock 1 which, Dr Sant said, was one of several projects which the government repeatedly promised but never realized. He said the redevelopment of this area was included in the Labour programme for the development of the harbours area and would incorporate tourism and recreation facilities as well as maritime attractions.
Dr Sant then went to Manwel Dimech Bridge, which, he explained, was way behind its completion date. The Labour leader pointed out that the company supervising this project was headed by architect Robert Sant, who together with the Roads Minister, had formed the partnership Sant and Mugliett and from which the minister received a retainer.
Dr Sant also went to the ADT offices at Sa Maison and said that Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett had tried to protect two employees who were taken to court and accused of corruption. The previous Transport Minister, Censu Galea, had been caught on tape saying he knew of wrongdoings at the authority, but he had done nothing about them, Dr Sant said.
On to Castille, where, Dr Sant said, Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela had continued to practice his notarial profession despite his government job. He also criticized Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech over the way funds were donated from the Lotteries Good Causes Fund.
MLP officials said they had also intended going to the Ta’Qali Crafts Village and the Mepa offices, but could not do so for lack of time. Dr Sant said the updating of the crafts village had been promised for many years and never happened, while Mepa was the source of many allegations and had also been involved in the extension of the development areas last year.
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In Discussion
14 Comments
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J.Scerri
Mar 5th 2008, 23:16
I suggest that Dr. Sant takes his TOUR BUS to the places I'm going to tell and make some comparisons. First he must go to Mater-Dei ( you know IL-KAPRICC TA FENECH ADAMI, the MLP once called it ) than to the MIA ( the other `KAPRICC' ), both Waterfronts ( Valletta and Vittoriosa ) the MCAST, the many RENEWED SCHOOLS and other projects done by the PN govt. Then he can take them to Bugibba to see if the 1997 pavement is still there and... and, hold on, I think that's the only project Dr.Sant's govt had done in its' 22 months. See the difference !!! Or their's someone who will say I'm manipulating these facts ?
Mark Busuttil
Mar 4th 2008, 18:07
its another case of The Pot calling the Kettle Black!
Randolph Bugeja
Mar 4th 2008, 17:36
clive demicoli.. by driver Sant meant campaign driver.
E Sultana
Mar 4th 2008, 16:25
Mr. Kurt Vella, yes Dr.Sant could have visted these other magnifecent projects as you said but Dr. Sant could have pointed out more flaws in these projects.
Let me remind you how much more money was needed to build Mater Dei than proposed, and what about the opening day? 10 years after!! New Schools?? Dr. Gonzi inaguarated the foundation for a new school in Pembroke when the people, even the mayor wrote and re wrote letters to the Education Department to start work on the school for the last 6 years [if not more].
Gozo Terminal?? Please that Terminal should be the shame of the government. It was promised for a long time ago and as luck would have it it was inaugurated at the eve of an election.
The Maltese Population does not forget these projects. Nor its endings mind you. But it seems that the government wants us to forget what happened between the beginning [decades ago] and the endings [recent inauguration]. With scandals here, and lack of planning there.
Yes Dr.Gonzi's government undertook many projects but the vast majority, if not all were tainted with some defect of a grand scale. This is the true incompetence which MLP is trying to highlight in this campaign
Sarah Scerri
Mar 4th 2008, 15:56
Maybe Dr. Sant should have taken the bus to the new Italian Protocol Roads, or Hal Far Road, or Civil Aviation Avenue.
Maybe he could have asked his friend Charles Buhagiar to hop on the bus and taken everyone to Gozo where perit Buhagiar supervised works on the road from Mgarr to Ghajnsielen - asking for a higher fee than originally agreed in the process.
That would have been a scoop for the journalists on the bus...
J Bugeja
Mar 4th 2008, 15:35
I think Dr Sant forgot to tour the flats that the Housing Authiorty (when he was PM) was about to purchase from his friend Lay Lay. Also he forgot to visit the Marsa Cold Stores where he had placed Malta's application to join the EU
joseph camilleri
Mar 4th 2008, 15:33
Am i getting something wrong or is "The Times" very selective in what makes it to the "Comments" section below. Come to think of it, it reminds me of a similar practice in adopts on the printed version! Bet this never makes it to the section below!!!!
L. Tonna
Mar 4th 2008, 15:04
I would be shocked to hear that Alfred Sant wins the election, not that PN are perfect, but who needs all this change? It would have been good enough for Dr. Sant to say that he will keep building on what there is rather than promoting a new beginning. I don't want any new beginnings, little changes, a little at a time please. Why do we want to change everything? Leave us in peace and make it easy for us to live, whilst difficult for us to choose a party. Dr. Sant has been making it too easy for us too choose.
clive demicoli
Mar 4th 2008, 14:58
I wonder who is driving this victory bus of Dr Sant. Maybe the driver that has been paid from the public coffers since 1996 and who has never driven Dr Sant at all. How is that for good governance? The Maltese tax payer has been paying for the services of a driver for Dr Sant since 1996 and everyone knows that Dr Sant drives himself!!!!!!! According to Dr Sant his driver is Robert Francalanza of Super One fame.
Joseph Camilleri
Mar 4th 2008, 14:50
Dear James (De Giorgio), please keep God out of the equation. Its up to us to choose, without need for any divine intervention. The real politics will start in earnest, on March the 9th, with a newly elected Labour party in office.
N.Debono
Mar 4th 2008, 14:38
I could not agree more to what Joe De Giorgio said. It is unacceptable that we have to keep up with all of this fooling around. give us some hard lined, well planned politics and we will collect our votes. with Sant as opposition leader or as God forbid P.M. all will stay the same or go down hill
Kurt Vella
Mar 4th 2008, 14:32
Maybe Dr.Sant could have also visited Mater Dei hospital, the Valletta Waterfront, the Marina in Birgu, the restoration projects, the new schools, the childcare centres, the gozo terminal, the projects being undertaken at MIA, the list is endless. The only problem with this government is that one forgets all the projects undertaken and completed.
vincent busuttil
Mar 4th 2008, 13:48
As opposed to the other achievments by the current government, the tour took him only to a few projects which had their reasons for delays, example craft village where the authorties had to deal with each and every hut owerner involved.
James De Giorgio
Mar 4th 2008, 13:45
Oh I hope to God that Sant loses the election, that way there'll be reform in the MLP hopefully, then we can start having real politics and real challenges, and two real big parties.