He said that the work that had been done since the 12 June local council elections showed that the Luqa council, under the leadership of mayor John Schembri, was striving to improve the area.

Dr Sant also said that the council had bound itself to deliver by refurbishing the ground floor of the Luqa day centre and implementing Skola Sajf – two initiatives which were completed within 100 days of the council beginning its work.

The council had delivered on 85 per cent of the commitments it had made on election, said the MLP leader, despite encountering difficulties from the government which did not keep its word on certain issues.

He said: “In fact, the work on the Luqa government school has not been completed and is one year overdue. And government also did not deliver on roadwork and servicing in Hal Farrug.”

The Labour Party would shortly be convening its councillors’ congress, said Dr Sant, to see how the various local councils can build on the success already achieved.

“This is because their success translates into success and benefits and an improvement in the standard of living for their respective communities,” he said.

The mayor said that apart from infrastructural work, the council had embarked on various social and educational projects.

Apart from the Skola Sajf and day centre projects, said Mr Schembri, the council had also organised an adult learning course: Learn to read and write.

It had also re-surfaced Church Valley Street and paved an alley off Karmnu Street at a total cost of Lm10,000.

The council is also raring to go to complete the third phase of work in Hal Farrug, he said The whole project, when completed, is budgeted for Lm181,000.

Before leaving, Dr Sant met some of the elderly people at the day centre. He had a general chat and listened to some of their complaints and arguments on the

current political situation.

Dr Sant was accompanied by deputy leader Charles Mangion, secretary general Jason Micallef, Marie Louise Coleiro and Roderick Galdes.