Thursday, 21st August 2008 - 14:50CET

Updated: Birżebbuġa council to reopen its doors tomorrow

(Adds government statement)

Birżebbuġa council is to reopen its doors as from tomorrow following assurance from Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said that the issue about the appointment of the council’s new executive secretary will be resolved on Monday, mayor Joseph Farrugia said.

The council has been working behind closed doors since last Monday in protest over delays by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to authorise the engagement of a new executive secretary.

The council action meant residents could not receive desk services such as collecting or filling in various forms, or paying bills and fines.

Meanwhile, the government said in a statement this afternoon that the director of the Local Councils Department had told the mayor that the closure of the council offices was unlawful and unjustified. He called on him to open the doors so that the employees could serve the public.

The government also pointed out that theBirżebbuġa council submitted the name of a person to be appointed executive secretary on last June 12 but failed to provide documents to prove he was suitably qualified in terms of the law. The appointment, therefore, could not be approved.

It was only this week that the required reference letter was received.

The government said Birżebbuġa council enjoyed the required staff levels and had created unnecessary problems for the residents, while failing in its duties.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Monday, November 23, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

J Farrugia (on 22/8/08)

Because ir Riki Farrugia thinks he can do whatever he likes in Birzebbugia. Precluding people from using the local council 'services'. But after all it was the Birzebbugia people who elected him so.... he is right to do whatever he wants. They get what they deserve.

liam kelly (on 21/8/08)

Totally agree with you David the road fiasco would never have been allowed to happen in St. Julians and other tourist hotspots; we are considered second rate in the South and particularly in Birzebbuga....so much for a fair and classless society.

David Grech (on 21/8/08)

Indeed, as D Fenech said, the state of the mentioned roads is appaling to say the least. You get feeling that you're living in a developing country, not an EU member. It's not a road, it's an obstacle course...and it's been like that for ages now (including the time taken to finish the road leading to Ghar Dalam). I sometimes wonder...would this have been allowed to happen in a prime tourist area such as St. Julian's? B'Bugia residents are second rate citizens it seems...

Tony Zammit (on 21/8/08)

@ Charles Camilleri who wrote "Dear P. Secretary the public should have been told days ago the reason why the appointment of the new secretary for the B'Bugia council was not approved.For days we heard only one side of the story. Why is this allowed?"

Because the Government is not imbecil enough to create a storm in a teacup for every silly snippet that happens in the country.... if that were to be the case, would you think that this country would enjoy the stability it does?
most naturally, not all in a position of power reason and act this way...some choose to activate something else rather than their brains in order to 'think'. and the result is chaos - relative chaos naturally, depending on the measure of authority one holds.
from our part, only one thing is necessary - patience. and in due course, truth WILL surely surface just as in this case-showing the wise as such, and the dumb likewise. Most often, it is patience that we lack...just patience...
Franco Farrugia... u 2 pl note......

D Fenech (on 21/8/08)

Very good!
And can we ask when Ghar Dalam Road and Bugia Road are going to be tarmacked and made safe for drivers?

Charles Camilleri (on 21/8/08)

Dear P. Secretary the public should have been told days ago the reason why the appointment of the new secretary for the B'Bugia council was not approved.For days we heard only one side of the story. Why is this allowed? In my opinion the public relation machine of the government is not working in spite of Ministers being surrounded by qualified personnel. What are they doing? I rarely read any communications from them. if the documents submitted prove to be insufficient for the job the public has the right to know and not let the Mayor do the talking alone.

Victor Battistino (on 21/8/08)

Can I ask whoever is responsible for the works in Triq Noqra B'Buga to finish off. A large unguarded (dangerous) hole is left open at the end of this lane and residents have to endure the dust emanating from the unfinished trench works.

Works have stopped just before St.Marija and have to-date come to a standstill. Meanwhile , we cannot open windows, keep our cars clean and risk damage to our vehicles by driving on the unfinished trench works.

Are we forgotten ?????!!! or are we waiting for an accident to happen and then sue whoever is responsible ??

Updated: Birżebbuġa council to reopen its doors tomorrow

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