PN Leadership hopeful Chris Said today was confronted by angry Pembroke residents who criticised him for not turning up for last Tuesday’s protest against the building of a private school in the area, and the Nationalist Party for failing to earmark the area as an Outside Development Zone.

“You are just using the platform for your own political mileage,” one resident said.

The confrontation took place following a press conference which he held in front of the site of proposed development of Chiswick House School in the area.

Last Tuesday, residents protested against the building of the school, an event which was attended by Environment Minister Jose Herrera. No Nationalist representative was present. 

Said retorted by insisting that while it was a mistake that the former administration did not make the area ODZ, it was upon the present government to take action and halt the development, rather than lulling in a state of confusion with two ministers having vastly different opinions on the matter.

Environment Minister Jose’ Herrera announced that he was firmly against the project when he attended the protest last Tuesday, while Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has said he is in favour.

Said said that he believed that the project should be rescinded, due to its ecological importance and proximity to a Natura 2000 site.

He also claimed that he had not gone to the protest as he had not been informed.

Local Councils

The press conference was initially called for Said to discuss his proposals for Local Councils.

Said, a former Mayor and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils, said that local councils should also act as hubs which deal with social issues of the community, such as domestic violence and disability.

He also called for an increase in funding and schemes; and the introduction of full-time Mayors.

He said that he would also introduce local police officers, which he believed should operate as a branch of the Police Force, but under the guidance of the Local Council, to better serve the community.

Said proposed that local councils be transformed from mere 'pressure groups' and be given greater powers to stop certain projects within their areas.

There were also a number of internal party proposals on the subject, starting with the introduction of a full-time Director for Local Councils which will allow for continuous and regular contact with local councils, in order to bring the party closer to the people.

There will also be a national convention which will be held every two years to discuss what could be done to improve local governance.

He was pressed by The Malta Independent, as to why he did not implement the proposals when he held the post of Parliamentary Secretary.

Said insisted that under his stewardship, several amendments had been introduced which strengthened local governance and that he had once consulted with a significant number of representatives from local councils.

He did admit that he wanted more far-reaching amendments, but "was a member of cabinet" at the time and was not his decision to make.

"In the last four years, the government has been taking this power back. Their funds did not increase at the same rate as our society. The time has come again to give local councils a new life."

Evarist Bartolo Reaction

The Minstry for Education has released a statement claiming that Minister Evarist Bartolo said that 'Pembroke does not need to remain a green lung" is a lie.

"The government's manifesto spoke very clearly: the environment needs to be given importance and it needs to be dealt with sustainably. Everything needs to regulated by an independent process by the competent authorities."

"If Dr Said wants to find division in politics he does not need to go far because it is within his own party."