Michael Briguglio’s article (March 28) was very appropriately titled. “More equal than others” perfectly suits the way in which things were done for many years and it seems that Briguglio himself would like things to remain so.
He seems to find fault in all things carried out by this government, yet he has not uttered a word on the wrongdoings of PN representatives, such as the very deputy head.
Many perceive Briguglio as an adamant voice against ODZ development. Rightly so, they were perplexed at his strenuous effort to minimise all accusations in Beppe Fenech Adami’s regard, notwithstanding a number of documents raising suspicion.
There are three main allegations worth observing, even though Fenech Adami denied them and has filed libel proceedings against One News.
Firstly, Fenech Adami’s land found itself ‘mysteriously’ included within the parameters of a development zone in 2006, hence the value of his property increased and multiplied.
Secondly, Fenech Adami’s request in order to extend his palace in Għargħur was conveniently accepted, while other requests were being rejected. Lawrence Gonzi signed Fenech Adami’s permission while denying that of other developments, only a stone’s throw away.
Thirdly, Fenech Adami’s pool and his 700 square metre pool deck raise many a question. Policies past and present do not allow such an area to exceed 100 square metres. This is not merely a matter of Fenech Adami having a large pool, but a matter of snatching a large proportion of ODZ land for personal use.
Briguglio seems to be keen on wearing the Nationalist Party’s blinkers and focus his efforts exclusively on Panama. An attitude that is entirely up to him. Yet he cannot expect the nation to stop in its tracks in order to pay heed to his remarks.
No section of society may be deemed more privileged than the rest
Our nation is progressing at a fast pace and this seems to irk Briguglio a great deal. This is the only way with which one can explain why he believes the government is engaging in deviation tactics by ‘highlighting non-related achievements’.
Though Briguglio may not want to listen, this government’s ‘non-related achievements’ are very tangible and are making a difference in people’s lives. No effort to focus attention on Panama may annihilate the fact that it is under this government that Malta has witnessed its greatest economic growth so far.
Citizens are the ones to gain from such economic growth. Indeed, this administration has increased pensions for the first time in a quarter of a century.
No malign effort will take away the fact that this government provides free childcare to thousands of families. Nor will people forget that schoolchildren now make use of tablets in their classrooms, or that out-of-stock medicines are a thing of the past.
Waiting lists for hip and knee replacements have decreased by 28 per cent. It was customary for patients to wait for a year in order to get an MRI done at Mater Dei Hospital, whereas waiting time has now decreased to two months.
Two thousand people were liberated of their precarious work conditions. This is the result of measures that this government has taken, aimed at ensuring that public contracts respect every worker’s rights. A further 400 will have their situation rectified this year.
Last year, 14,000 people received a child supplementary benefit. Another 1,400 received in-work benefit, an innovative measure tailored for those with low incomes.
Unemployment has decreased drastically and a number of measures are being undertaken to further reduce such figures. A total 2,100 people were on the unemployment registry and are now working while still receiving part ofthe benefits that they were previously entitled to.
These are only some of the measures that are being undertaken in the name of equality, so that no section of society may be deemed more privileged than the rest.
These ‘non-related achievements’, as described by Briguglio, are proof that the Gonzi PN era is over.
It should not be reincarnated by electing the likes of Simon Busuttil or Fenech Adami, for we would not like to live in a society in which some are more equal than others.
Aleander Balzan, head of news, One.