On 12 March registered voters will be called to cast their vote in two localities within the 10th district. St Julian’s, with a bigger voting population than Pembroke, has a Nationalist majority.
Here a team of candidates is being presented. The experienced ones along with the enthusiastic ones make the choice widespread. One should know that the St Julian’s local council has no financial deficit.
Central government, under the ministry of Jesmond Mugliett has commissioned works to start in St George’s road leading up to Paceville. This stretch of road has come in for heavy criticism, and I am glad that the pressure exerted has led to a fruitful ending. This is the government’s concrete answer to improve the local product, through an upgrading of our roads. We will probably, soon, start grumbling that too much work is taking place around Malta.
Other streets are in the pipeline, namely Furtu Selvatico, Fagu, Nicolas Monserrat streets and part of Main Street. May I appeal to the council to include the part of Mensija Road, which probably and literally went forgotten, the part under the Regional Road bridge where all services have been passed, with the road surface being in a dire need of attention. One cannot but mention last year’s upgrading works in Paceville, another kept promise, and a sign of good cooperation between the local and central government.
A good turnout on this day will strengthen the council’s resolve to continue in its work to the benefit of its residents. I do await the percentage points that the Labour Party churns out to the Labour-led councils. It does give the impression that only Labour-led councils work, and do everything good.
Quite a marketing ploy, that must be uncovered constantly.
Which brings me to the Pembroke Council, led by a Labour man loyal to the Sant faction. In fact in a recent walkabout with his leader, they visited some sites and open spaces. I wonder if these sites will be the chosen ones, by the MLP in government, to house one of the recycling plants they envisage.
Dr Sant’s visits to localities have yet to determine where these sites are to be transferred. Pembroke seems a likely target by the MLP, unless otherwise pronounced.
A closer look into Pembroke, one finds the same marketing plan with the residents as victims. As part of a subtle propaganda, these past few weeks he has sent many letters to the residents of Pembroke telling them that in particular Mediterran Street is going to be done due to the pressure he exerted.
My letters to residents were sent in order to show the contrary, that is the central government and only the central government will upgrade the road.
A useless press conference was held, on a Saturday morning, in a corner to Mediterran Street, in the same vein, and was envisaged to ridicule the government for not doing the same street.
Again, Minister Louis Galea recently confirmed a substantial government investment in the local school. Another positive sign from a positive central government.
An explanation as to why certain statutory contracts were not renewed to the detriment of the same residents, why so many streets have potholes, why others suffer when it rains, others suffer because of noise disturbance, others because of proper lighting, should have been discussed. However this was not to be.
A pity that the magazine is non-existent as it was an effective way of communication with the residents. This may be caused by some in-fighting within the same camp. The systematic exclusion, by the mayor, of Nationalist councillors from doing work and responsibilities, is something that has to be straightened out next time round.
Unfortunately, council elections sometimes are characterised by the lack of participation in the polls. I would like to urge voters to turn up and cast their vote to all Nationalist councillors. They are and will be the best choice
Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP