The Nationalist Party’s propaganda in Rabat was designed to discredit the work of the present Rabat local council led by a Labour majority, making it very apparent that Nationalists feel uncomfortable with the huge amount of work completed under a Labour majority compared to the minimal work of the previous Nationalist local councils.

Instead of adopting the same negative propagandistic strategy used by the Nationalist Party in Rabat, I would like to give the readers an overview of part of the work completed by the present local council in order that Rabat residents can compare not only the work done in just three years but the attitude and style with which decisions were taken by the present local council.

Around 20 roads were resurfaced or paved in these last three years, the largest number of roads on which work has been carried out in a three-year period ever since the Rabat local council was set up 12 years ago. During my term in office the first electricity lights were installed in various parts of Rabat, Kuncizzjoni, Bahrija, Chadwick Lakes and Misrah Suffara, among others.

The playing field at Bahrija got an uplift with new playing field furniture and it was lit for the first time ever since it was built. Fifteen roads were embellished with decorative plants.

Various soft areas were embellished and the local convenience was modernised. The parking area at Ghajn Qajjet was organised and the area was embellished through an afforestation project. As promised in the MLP electoral programme for the 2003 elections and in response to Rabat’s residents wishes and needs, the bus terminus was re-sited at St Rita street, thus providing a better service.

During my term in office the regional library was refurbished yielding the much-desired result of having the largest number of loans these last 11 years. In response to the greater need of using ICT resources in research work a computer and a number of CD-ROMs were introduced in the regional library. To reinforce further the contribution of the local council to the education of young Rabat residents, the first school for students who need additional academic help was opened and various parents can testify for its effectiveness in improving students’ academic achievement.

Dudinu, a character created by the present local council, organised public reading activities to promote reading among children. In collaboration with ETC the present council opened up the first Job and Training Centre in Rabat and organised a wide range of courses with the aim of helping Rabat residents seek employment.

The local council also introduced a waste separation project in all state schools to promote environmental awareness amongst children and youths.

It has also financially contributed to projects promoting animal welfare issues among schoolchildren.

In the tourism sphere the present local council published the first artistic map and the first tourist information map besides the first installed Tourist Information Points and organising various tours around Rabat to highlight its tourist potential among both Maltese and foreign visitors.

This is just a fragment of the work carried out by the present Rabat local council led by a Labour majority and of which I was unanimously elected to act as mayor by all Nationalist and Labour councillors.

Frank Fabri

Rabat mayor