I am referring to the press conference held by Alfred Sant on the Msida Local Council doorstep on 28 February. I think that it is very unfair of Alfred Sant to systematically “fail” Nationalist led councils and praise to high heaven councils with a Labour majority. This now verges on the ridiculous.

Msida Local Council did not build the new council premises because it was not a priority. Dr Sant can rest assured that after 11 March it will be built. Msida local council already has Lm 40,000 - Lm 50,000 earmarked for this building. The Day Care Centre will be housed in the new building. The reason why the new office was not built was because it preferred to invest heavily in roads and pavements amongst others. Ten per cent of Msida’s streets were redone – 10 streets in all as well as corresponding pavements.

It think Dr Sant was incorrect in stating that we were to build a garden at Tal-Qroqq! As to sports, the Msida local council has been renting the grounds of the Junior College to the tune of Lm100 per month to help Msida Football Nursery train its 150 youngsters.

As to the twinning with other towns abroad, the council is negotiating a twinning project with La Roche en Ardenn of Belgium.

As to the refurbishing of Conception Street, Dr Sant rushed as usual and was not informed that Conception Street is more than two thirds done! And as to the setting up of the neighbourhood watch, the Dr Sant was ill-informed. It was established long ago and various meetings took place for the residents concerned.

I would like to point out that all three Labour members of Council share in the running of the council and if they do not pull their weight they have only themselves to blame. We had the chairman of the Traffic Management sub-committee attending only for two meetings out of the last 13 meetings.

I would like to point out to Dr Sant that the Msida playing field does not belong to Msida Local Council and that Msida local council spent thousands of liri to spruce up Swatar playing field which was heavily vandalised.

As regards the Flood Relief Project, this is of national importance and the council has done its lobbying with central government and it will be done in the near future with EU funds.

As to the rehabilitating of the Ghajn tal-Hasselin, Dr Sant is very ill-informed. The council in collaboration with central government rehabilitated it ages ago from the utter neglect it was left in by a Labour government. Unfortunately, due a botched Mintoff plan to control the storm waters of the valley, it became a sump where all the debris from Mosta, Naxxar and the Three Villages end up in it.

I advise the doctor to know the facts thoroughly before holding such press conferences to the amusement of his candidates.

Dr Carmelo Grima

Msida Mayor