Gzira council takes bad financial decisions to the detriment of residents - government
The Gzira council has taken bad and illegal financial decisions which will have major repercussions to the detriment of residents, the government said.
In a statement, it said the council approved an additional €57,000 expenditure over that projected for works in Stuart and Ponsomby streets.
Works in Ponsomby Street continued before the council was called to decide on the substantial variations in spite of the fact that the deputy mayor had been present for the works and all the meetings held to discuss the projects.
It was only following the insistence of some of the councillors that a report was sent to the Department of Local Government informing it of the variations.
Works on the two streets are being carried out under the public private partnership scheme for residential roads operated by the Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for councils.
Through the scheme, the government allocates a sum of money to a council to implement works.
The council is responsible for the permits, plans, call for tenders and general coordination of works.
While according to the tenders given by the council, the works had to cost €63,000 and €62,000, respectively, the mayor, his deputy and the two Labour councillors approved the continuation of the project including variations which cost an additional €57,000.
It was only after the works in Ponsomby Street were concluded and the higher bills were received that the four councillors requested the DLG's approval. They also ordered the continuation of works in Stuart Street with or without the DLG's approval in breach of the law, the government said.
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Joseph Camilleri
Dec 23rd 2011, 08:12
I would have liked to see the press release issued by the Gzira local council and not just the departments response,
If the department acted as promtly as it acted to this press release it would have saved itself a lot of emberrasment
J Camilleri
Saviour Cachia
Dec 23rd 2011, 00:18
That why the local councils were instituted...to serve as a poll for all the political parties to know where they stand and also to be divided because of partisans interest? I never liked the idea of political parties being involved in the local council, which nowadays are being mentioned quite frequently for grave mistakes or mishaps they commit. The law of the local council should be revised thoroughly and at least the election should be to elect a regional council on the basis of the districts as approved by the Electoral Office. It was a good move to have local council elections every four years, now let us go a step further and Malta and Gozo will be run by 13 regional council. Who is to make up for this gross over expenditure?
Albert Bezzina
Dec 22nd 2011, 23:19
What were the extra €57,000 needed for? It was enough to redo another similar street.
Victor Vella
Dec 22nd 2011, 20:23
Who is the Architect in charge of the project and who did the estimates for it?These things are happening with regular frequency and need to stop.
Joe Grech
Dec 22nd 2011, 19:56
Right, where do we go from here? Who will be considered accountable? What measures will be applied to ensure that whoever abused his position will be made to carry the can - if need be by even being sent to prison? The tax-paying public has a right to have answers to these questions dear Prime Minister and Leader of the Oppostion.
Also when will the PN and PL tandem acknowledge that having about 67 Local Council for tiny Malta is not just an utter waste of much-needed money but also a hugely risible situation. Our E.U. partners must be laughing their heads off at this ludicrous situation! Not that they themselves are beyond reproach mind you!
Anyone ready to bet that SOON all will be forgotten? That's how we treat national scandals here in Malta!
Martin Saliba
Dec 22nd 2011, 19:10
It is very evident from the report that the GLC has a labour majority. Would the Goverment make such comments were the GLC made up of a PN majortiy ? I doubt it , and i'm sure that it would be the same the other way round.
Joseph N. Attard
Dec 22nd 2011, 18:37
Are the persons responsible accountable at law? Are any legal steps being taken against them? If this is not possible, then all councils can squander tax money with impunity.