30-point manifesto for PN candidates

Armed with a manifesto containing 30 proposals, Nationalist Party local council candidates were yesterday given the blessing by the party’s top echelons.

At a seminar that was closed to the media, bar Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s brief closing speech, the 198 PN candidates were presented with the party’s manifesto for the March 10 elections.

The 30 proposals are divided into three sections covering infrastructure and the environment, the social dimension and local businesses.

From ensuring that road signs are adequately lit, to giving greater attention to the quality of playing field maintenance, and “a recommendation for more judicious and innovative uses of wardens and CCTV cameras” PN candidates are also expected to cherish the values of “righteousness and integrity”.

The manifesto includes a suggestion to beef-up public consultation by creating a committee of residents and representatives of the commercial community. It urges close cooperation with local voluntary organisations and “greater attention to every zone of the locality”.

Dr Gonzi, who urged the candidates to put the family at the centre of their work if they are elected councillors, yesterday assured them of the government’s backing.

Over the past four years, the government allocated some €160 million to local councils, Dr Gonzi said, hitting out at the Labour-led Mosta council for failing to apply for funds made available by the EU and government.

Criticising the Labour Party’s “two-page manifesto” that proposed free Wi-Fi access in all localities, Dr Gonzi said this was already available.

The government was going a step further by launching a call for expressions of interest in the roll-out of a nationwide next generation broadband infrastructure for every home.

Reacting to the criticism, Labour said it could not understand why Dr Gonzi was criticising a proposal to make Wi-Fi access available in all public spaces, accusing him of indulging in the “politics of the past”.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com