Updated: Marsa council complains of lack of consultation on rehabilitation project

Lincoln Grixti

Jul 8th 2009, 08:17

Why shouldn't the Marsa LC have a right to speak up and be consulted? Aren't they the people elected by the people of the town to represent them?

I don't understand how a minister from his office can understand better than the person living there the needs and requirements for any particular area. While any project that rehabilitates such areas is always welcome and should be seen from a positive eye, one has to first get the opinion of the people that will be effected by such a development.

While in this case, the Marsa LC, might not be architects or field experts, most if not all of them are the experts of their locality and I am pretty sure that they do have some very good ideas. If the LC of a locality according to the other bloggers down here should 'shut up' and say nothing, then I don't see who should speak up. Let us just dismantle LCs then and let the central government do all the decisions.

J Martinelli

Jul 7th 2009, 19:27

Scerri, you are wrong on two counts.

1. When I come to Malta, I do not come to vote since by law (if you are familiar with it) one has to be resident for six months before even becoming eligible to vote.
2. I rather comment on inane rants which, oddly enough, seem to come mostly from the LP and/or its misinformed supporters. I never claimed that the NP is perfect but placed side by side with the LP, it may be easily perceived to be a model of perfection.

I never disputed the legitimacy of the Marsa LC but question the constant moaning of the Mayor and his colleagues in spite of several improvements taken up by the central government within the Marsa area.

Yes, I keep abreast of what happens in Malta, otherwise I would shut up and pity the lot who are never appreciative of anything done other than by their Party's rare stints in government. The project will not happen overnight but then neither did the completed Waterfront quays, marinas, etc.

What is important however, is that the government has a plan and a vision which neither the Marsa LC nor the LP have.

Noel Scerri

Jul 7th 2009, 17:22

@ N Calleja
Is that the best defence you can come up with, being rude telling others to "shut up". La verita offende, it seems, does it.
Arrogance and being rude is fast becoming the domain of quite a few of PN supporters.

N.Calleja

Jul 7th 2009, 16:44

The PL has taken a strategy which is being used by all its followers. When they cannot give their consent to any project because they would be praising government's work , they create all the questions to sow doubts and create suspects. See how they acted with the Piano plans. The same is now happening with the Menqa project. Doubts about the expense, time frame etc. When are they going to grow up? Just shut your mouth and let others work!!

Noel Scerri

Jul 7th 2009, 15:42

@ Martinelli
It seems you keep well abreast with the situation in Malta although I hear you live in Canada (if I'm not mistaken) and most probably come to Malta only to exercise your right to vote. You also seem to have something to say (always in favour of the NP) on every subject. Good, that is your right also. Albeit I also think that the Marsa LC being the legitimately elected Council also has the right to voice its opinion and you being so democratic should recognize this without trying to ridicule (without succeeding) and posing as an authority which you are not.
@ N Calleja
Only 1 major fault Mr. Calleja, where is the money coming from or is this just one of those dreams that will never materialize. Believe me any project that embellishes the Menqa area would be welcome by the whole Marsa LC and by all the residents. Marsa has been the dumping ground for so long that any project will do, hope its not a joke though.

Paul Aquilina

Jul 7th 2009, 15:20

Please grow up Marsa Council try and be more responsible. i did not know that there was another Renzo Piano at the Marsa Local Council. your complaint is a joke as much as oit is ridiculous

John Pace

Jul 7th 2009, 15:04

Actually it was the Marsa council that first proposed the idea in 1995 when the Menqa stopped being used for coal storage. But the tanker berth was still needed to deliver fuel to the power station. It is not known how the problem of the tanker berth is going to be solved. Even after the power station closes down the fuel tanks are needed because of malta's obligation to maintain security fuel stocks. And what about the MOBC which has considerable investment in fuel transshipment and the Waste Oil company at the Menqa. And the new fuel tank that Enemalta is building at the bottom of Spenser Hill??
Does Austin Gatt's right hand know what his left hand is doing?

J Cilia

Jul 7th 2009, 14:28

Dear Marsa Mayor, in line with your party's current stands, you should wait for public perception about the project and then proclaim the Marsa Council's viewpoint. This is populist politics, proclaiming agreement or disagreement before Joe Public's views can be tantamount to irking potenial voters. These are the signs of true leadership. Please catch up with your Leader's political strategy.

John Azzopardi

Jul 7th 2009, 13:51

Local Councils, NGOs, self-appointed experts and their brother, are making a mockery of democracy. They all want to put in their penny's worth even if they have no expertise at all and their opinion based on romanticism simply puts spokes in the wheel and ruins project after project. The irony is that government gives them the time.

a. sciberras

Jul 7th 2009, 13:34

The Marsa Local Council should be ashamed! Always grumbling and not doing anything. Just take a look at Spencer Hill and all the surrounding areas. It is in such a state! Loads of tourists and cruise passengers constantly pass from the area, not to say the locals themselves! What a joke! Mattresses, broken skips, broken glass, rusted drums and shabby environment overall!

N.Calleja

Jul 7th 2009, 13:00

The Labour led Marsa Local Council was expected to find the proverbial nbeedle in a haystack Because they could find no fault in the project, now they're saying that they were not consulted. Can't they present their views now? I'm sure the ministry will be ready to hear their opinion. They would have surely accepted the project hands down if it was proposed by a Labour administration! Xi tghid Frans?

pscerri

Jul 7th 2009, 12:43

This lack of consultation is a 'normal' procedure which just goes to show Local Councils have hardly no say whatsoever over their locality. Alas it is they who bear the brunt of the locals.

J Martinelli

Jul 7th 2009, 12:42

Marsa Local Council must be joking.

I suppose the government should consult with the council before proceeding with any project, just in case the council, by virtue of its own planning and research team, would be able to come up with something better!

"...while it was in favour of any project which could improve the Menqa area in Marsa, it could not accept the lack of consultation by Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt". Read and weep. A project which COULD improve the Menqa. Look again Marsa Council. Maybe you will discern that the plans MAY improve the Menqa!? Be serious. Besides, is this project not being funded by the Central government?

Marsa Council feels offended because the Minister did not invite them for the unveiling of the plans after the Labour led council has been a pain in the government's backside for years.

Change tack Marsa Council and you may gain a bit more respect.