Labour MP Joseph M. Sammut has implied that ethnic reasons were behind a decision by Safi council to close two roads leading to Zurrieq.

In a parliamentary question yesterday, Dr Sammut asked the Prime Minister whether it was the policy of local councils to practice an ethnic policy which prohibited the residents of neighbouring villages from using roads of specific villages. If in the negative, Dr Sammut asked why the Mayor of Safi was being allowed to hold this policy as shown by his decision to close Zurrieq Road from the Zurrieq end and St Paul Street in the direction of Zurrieq, with the intention of preventing the people of Zurrieq from driving through Safi to reach their homes.

Replying, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that neither the government, nor the councils followed any type of ethnic policy which discriminated between the people, and he was sure the Labour MP knew this.

Dr Gonzi said there were various reasons for the road closures, which had nothing to do with the insinuations of ethnic policies made by Dr Sammut.

Zurrieq Road was made one way a few years ago in view of traffic management problems involving buses and parking. When the road was two-way, cars had to be driven on the pavement. This posed a danger to pedestrians, while the council had to repair the damage caused to the pavement by the cars. There were alternatives to this road, Dr Gonzi said.

St Paul Street was made one way to reduce traffic flow in the heart of Safi, reducing harmful emissions. Furthermore, irresponsible drivers in the dead of night had been damaging properties.