During these last three years, in my capacity as the local secretary of the Labour Party, I worked within the community to identify problems and potential solutions that impact on the locality. I come across a general consensus that our problems have actually increased as the local council, led by a Nationalist majority, reflected the same weaknesses of the central government.

One of the main issues that the administration failed to address

adequately is that of parking facilities in the area. The Nationalist-led local council has failed to maintain many of its electoral promises including that of investing in a multi-storey car park facility in the Qawra area.

This is a project that will improve the living experience of residents and of those who visit the area in the summer months. The good work that has been undertaken to improve the promenade has failed to maximise on the traffic management needs of the area.

With a population suprassing the 18,000 mark that increases to about 60,000 during the summer months, the parking issue is indeed a veritable nightmare to residents. This number is furthermore increased by the influx of tourists who make use of hired transport. Both the local and central governments failed to address this important issue.

Members of the local PL committee and Labour councillors had called a press conference on June 18, 2011 to highlight the disappointment of residents and communities forming part of this locality on this state of affairs, as public areas remain underutilised. Minister Tonio Fenech had actually said in Parliament, in response to a request to provide details of public spaces in the area, that much work and resources were needed to provide the required information.

The residents of St Paul’s Bay and the surrounding areas have grown tired of the many unrealised promises of local councils led by a Nationalist administration. They have failed to deliver on the many promises made over so many years and cannot be trusted to manage the affairs of this locality any further.