From Mr P. Aquilina
It took the MLP six whole years to accept the introduction of local councils in Malta and Gozo. The Labour Party boycotted council elections seven times before they made another of their usual political U-turns and started taking part in them in 1999.
Until that time Labour leaders were continuously insulting councils. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici was calling the councils a corruption machine before they had even started, and instead of participating, the Labour Party used individuals they called “independent candidates” and until 1999 a good number of today’s Labour councillors served under the “independent” banner.
This meant that Labour opposed the formulation of the Local Councils Act 1993 and did not assist with the setting up of 67 councils, a number that was increased to 68 with the formation of Mtarfa council some years later. They did nothing except obstruct the PN government but they are now pretending to be the local councils’ champions and are using them for propaganda purposes. It is really amazing how Kalkara mayor Michael Cohen complains in a TV programme that Labour only took over the association in 2006, when they had the majority of councils before that date.
What a change to Labour means
The Labour Party has managed to take over localities that traditionally have a PN majority, and in 99 per cent of these they have made a glorious mess.
If one analyses these localities, the results show the mediocre results since Labour took over:
San Gwann. Until 2006 this was one of the most efficient local councils in Malta. Up until then, the amount of infrastructure work carried out in the village was enormous, matters were dealt with professionally and the public was treated with respect. Due to a low voter turnout, this council was given on a silver platter to an inefficient Labour council with a mayor who has absolutely no idea of administration.
All the residents will surely agree with me that this beautiful village is now in a complete mess and apart from the abuse in the awarding of tenders and the employment of the MLP club officials, this Labour council is on the verge of losing its majority, as the deputy mayor is being boycotted by his Labour colleagues just because he is being honest and telling the truth about the council’s incompetence.
Pietá. Another Labour council since 2006 and another flop. The mayor here was admonished by the department because, for no valid reason, he wanted to sack the executive secretary and another member of the staff. This mayor thinks that the certificate ISO 9000, (a council achievement under a PN majority) is something to do with the council’s accounts and he complained about it. The present state of Pietá and Gwardamangia are proof enough of the Labour inefficiency. According to the minutes of the 309th council meeting, this council appointed a new executive secretary without an interview being held. The vote for this irregularity was three (MLP) in favour and two (PN) against.
Mqabba. In only two years, this Labour council made a mess of the council accounts, had a deficit in its working capital of Lm32,360 and was stopped by the Department from carrying out any more capital projects until the deficit is cleared. Here the mayor boasts that a significant number of PN supporters gave their second preference to Labour councils. This “significant number” is just 20 voters who cross-voted from both parties. In fact, a number of Labour supporters also gave their second preference to PN candidates but the end result showed 20 more second preference votes for Labour. Now if 20 second preference votes is a significant number for the Mqabba mayor, then 22 votes have more significance and this was the number of first preference votes the PN had on Labour in the last council elections.
Sta Venera. Labour took over this council in 2005 and no progress of any significance. But the Labour trademark of making life hell for the staff who are not interested in Labour partisan politics has taken its toll and two clerks have had to leave their job.
Mellieha. I must admit that Labour was very shrewd here, after taking over this council in 2002. In fact, by 31 March 2006 they had no less than Lm364,428 available funds in the bank. This amount came down significantly in 2006/07 to Lm299,000 and everything points to the balance being further reduced during the current financial year as it is also the Mellieha council’s election year.
Mosta. The Labour majority here has only been in office for seven months. In this short period there have been all sorts of abuse, from the employment of staff to tender procedures, the approval of payment of council funds to the absurdity of local council meetings’ time schedules.
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These cases are proof of what the MLP means by “change”. The places mentioned above decided on a change and are now paying the price. The MLP is not an alternative to the PN.
This is what will happen if a change in government takes place but, as always happens, political deceit will ensnare the deceiver.
Local councils with a PN majority have shown how places can be governed professionally, honestly and with respect towards the residents. Local councils like Gharghur, Siggiewi and Safi are a few who have all their residential streets completed and yet all of them have ended the financial year with a positive financial balance.
All three declared a financial surplus in their accounts, but these councils do not rely on income from warden tickets. They plan their projects well ahead and, above all, with honesty and integrity. And most of all, they give their residents a better way of living standard.
Other places with a PN majority – large towns like Birkirkara, Sliema, St Julian’s and St Paul’s Bay –have all changed their areas for the better and also have their financial situation under control. Smaller villages such as Balzan have always had a PN majority. In 14 years, this council has governed in a professional manner and has never allowed partisan politics to interfere with the council’s duties and obligations. The same can be said for Mgarr local council, the priority of which is not the PN (the party it represents) but their village. This is what we advise our councillors to do and this is how they work in their respective localities.
Our Gozo councils are a magnificent example and proof of PN councils’ honesty, hard work and professionalism leading to excellence, such as in Nadur and other places.
Fontana local council is one of the smallest in Gozo, yet it has managed to administer its public funds with excellence. With one of the smallest government allocation of just Lm44,184 per annum, this PN council has managed to declare a balance of Lm100,000 at the end of the last financial year and is in the process of constructing a civic centre for the area, without the need to apply for a bank loan. This alone is proof that the crocodile tears shed by some Labour councils over the shortage of funds are only an excuse to hide their inefficiency. All that is actually required is hard work and honesty – two important things that are a foreign language to the MLP.
One of the larger villages, Nadur, whose council has a PN majority, has just been declared the “European Destination of Excellence” and “the best emerging rural destination in Europe”. This council has embarked on a huge programme of work that covers 29 projects over the coming years. After all this work, this council ended the financial year with a surplus in the income and expenditure account and increased its working capital by 33 per cent on the previous financial year.
Together with other Gozitan local councils, Nadur led the way in the acquisition of thousands of euros from EU structural funds – as did San Lawrenz, Gharb and other councils with a PN majority.
This is what honest and efficient local governance is all about.
In the end, it all depends on whether we want serious PN-led local governments or whether we prefer Labour Party club committees administering our localities. This is our choice.
Pawlu Aquilina.
PN Local Councils
Coordinator.