On Saturday, the citizens of 22 localities face a choice; a choice that will affect the administration of the locality and community in which we live. Local council elections are not simply a poll of the general public opinion at the time; they are not simply another opportunity for the political scene in Malta to come to life in a partisan fashion. The local council elections are so much more than that.

The Nationalist Party has always believed in the true value of the local councils and it is for this reason that the PN has always seen these councils as a means by which our lives can all take a leap for the better; a means by which localities can further progress by having an administration which works at the heart of it all rather then one central administration.

The PN’s councillors and candidates’ track records speak for themselves; a track record of dedication and service towards the individual locality, a track record of priority being given to the interests of the respective locality. This time round is no exception, the PN motto is simple “B’impenn fil-lokal tieghek”; the locality has once again taken centre stage of it all.

As a candidate coming from a locality currently held by a Malta Labour Party majority it would be very easy for me to simply dish out a tirade of criticism on the past three years by giving low percentages. This however is not the proactive spirit with which the Nationalist Party and its candidates seek to work.

In Marsaxlokk, the Nationalist Party has a holistic programme for the local council including work among and for the local fishing community, further cooperation in the project being prepared for Xatt is-Sajjieda, further road works, further recreational zones, educational courses and exchanges, work in the social field, a better environment, a more efficient cleaning service, further encouragement of IT, further sports facilities, educational discipline in the fields of environment and traffic and a strengthening of the cultural and historical aspect of the locality.

These are not empty words or void promises made in order to give a silvery screen on the eve of an election. The Nationalist Party has shown its commitment in Marsaxlokk through facts and not just through words. The central government has in fact been instrumental in a number of projects for the local fishing community, among which we find the hard standing facilities and the negotiated sum of e8.4million in aid to be given to the local fishing community between 2007-2013, the project being planned for Xatt is-Sajjieda and the investment in the local primary school both past and future.

On Saturday, let us all do our duty. Let us all make sure that we elect a team that is willing to work for our respective localities. A team that will indeed make a difference. In the end, if our localities fall into the wrong hands, it will be us, the citizens, who will have to bear the consequences.

Angelo Micallef

PN candidate

Marsaxlokk