Kennedy Grove is one of the many examples where the government does not implement the promises it makes about caring for the environment, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

During an onsite visit in Kennedy Grove, Dr Sant listed a number of projects mentioned by various government ministers concerning the area.

The Opposition Leader also visited the new area which had been inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Monday.

However, he said, while new trees have been planted in one area, the whole area is abandoned, full of mud with drainage seeping out on the grass.

Dr Sant pointed to an electricity pole and said that there were exposed wires and no light bulbs.

“I guess the government will use the light bulbs promised by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,” he said sarcastically.

Dr Sant said that the swings, which had been removed, were rusty and not adequate for children.

The Opposition Leader called for a factual change – one that will implement the changes that the country needs.

Dr Sant said that a Labour government will set up an authority which will work together with NGOs on improving the area.

An attempt to belittle

government’s

accomplishments – PN

In a counter statement issued last night, the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the environment said that Dr Sant’s decision to hold a press conference in the southern part of Kennedy Grove ia another attempt by the MLP to belittle the PN’s achievement of creating new recreational spots and improving existent ones.

The ministry said it has always been clear that the project to rehabilitate Salina was split into three parts – the first phase, which was opened yesterday – boasts an enormous free area where 11,000 trees were planted. The second phase will see the rehabilitation of the Kennedy Grove and the JFK memorial, including the creation of a large play area for children. The area between the planted trees and the Salini will also be rehabilitated.

The third phase, which Dr Sant lamented is full of mud, will soon be turned into a natural marshland. An application for this phase was lodged under the Life+ programme of the European Union for around e700,000.

The ministry said that the salt pans will be rehabilitated and cleaned and will not only serve as a tourist attraction but will also be used for large scale production of salt.