More work needs to be done for new waste management regulations to work smoothly, parliamentary secretary for local government Silvio Parnis said.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Parnis said there was "a lot to be done to fix" the new regulations on waste management but insisted the government had moved forward and people playing their part.

New waste management regulations, which came in effect earlier this month, have left many residents concerned and others fuming.

Under the revised system, households must dispose of food remains, flowers and leaves in white rubbish bags. This organic waste is collected on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The system ran into trouble before it started, with many households not receiving a small garbage receptacle being distributed for free in time. 

Residents in some localities subsequently complained about organic waste either not being collected, or about collectors dumping it and inorganic waste together in the same truck. 

Read: Waste mix-up leaves St Paul’s Bay residents fuming

Shadow minister for local government Robert Cutajar said he was pleased to note that Mr Parnis agreed that the Opposition’s concerns were warranted.

“Local councils are not to blame for waste management problems,” Dr Cutajar said.

The two members were speaking during the second reading of a draft bill on local councils.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Parnis said the bill, if passed, would allow 16-year-olds to act as assistant commissioners for local councils. The 16-year-olds were already allowed to be assistant commissioners for MEP elections, he said.

He also touched on the White Paper for local council reform, saying councils should be close to people.

Mr Parnis noted the debate could either be politicised, or “we can work together to change the country”.

Dr Cutajar said the Opposition would be voting in favour of the draft bill but noted that very few of the Nationalist party’s proposals on local council reform were picked up.

“The PN is proposing the social aspect as the fulcrum of the reform,” Dr Cutajar said. “We want to ensure no one is left behind,” he added.

He insisted administrative councils could not be stopped and that local councils needed to be heard.

Labour MP Alex Muscat emphasised the need to foster a civic sense among youth, adding that when politicians engaged in tribal politics, they risked distancing young people from the scene.

Democratic Party leader Godfrey Farrugia insisted the role of councillors should be strengthened, but warned local councils should never help a resident depending on his political affiliations.

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