In the run-up to last March’s local council elections, the case of the St Peter’s Zabbar bus shelter became national news, for it was the subject of countless questions, mostly by Joe Mizzi, asking Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett when was it going to be erected.

Alfred Sant had even gone to the spot and indicated to the media the old bus shelter, being used as a chicken coop.

The Opposition MPs who asked about and insisted on the need for this bus shelter because children were waiting for buses in the rain, were assured time and time again that its reinstatement was “imminent”.

One would have thought that, three months down the line, the bus shelter would be up and running.

Instead of which, surprise, surprise, it is still not there.

Replying this time to Stefan Buontempo, Mr Mugliett said the concrete base of the shelter is ready and the shelter would be put up “in the near future” by the contractor, as soon as the new consignment of bus shelters is ready.

Cooperatives board finds no cooperation

The last time around, the representatives of the Cooperatives Board, who were told to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, went to Parliament in vain, as no government member turned up, after the Opposition had forced a quorum check and the main sitting of Parliament had to be postponed.

The PAC was due to meet yesterday, but at the last minute it was announced that it would not be doing so.

However, nobody had informed the members of the Cooperatives Board who, once again, turned up at Parliament for nothing, and left fuming.

The new date for the PAC sitting is 28 June.

69 reports of rape last year

There were 69 reports of sexual attacks on individuals last year, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Adrian Vassallo.

Three on triple

probation order

There are no fewer than 289 active probation order at present, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Adrian Vassallo. Thirteen people have more than one probation order: 10 have two probation orders and three have three probation orders in their regard.

83 on prostitution charges

A total of 83 people, 30 of whom were first time offenders, were arraigned last year on 379 charges of loitering for the purposes of prostitution, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Adrian Vassallo.

Head-less schools

No fewer than 15 primary schools, eight secondary schools and one post-secondary school are without a head until the beginning of the next school year, Education Minister Louis Galea told Carmelo Abela.