Siggiewi’s community today is richer. Its local council today doesn’t only operate from a more accessible building, which puts it in a better position to give all residents its services; it also allows the local council to start planning ahead for the development of a day care centre for the locality’s elderly.

This is the fruit of a year’s work which my secretariat carried out, in turn leading to the historical palace in the square of Siggiewi passing on to the local council. All this work was based on three main principles that inspired every step of the way: Government always wanted to hold the high moral ground, while making sure that reason prevailed, for the good of all the Siggiewi community.

This was manifest in the fact that while we stated clearly, and more than once that the palace had to be vacated by 25 August, following the expiration of its lease in June, in order for the local council to start making use of it, at the same time the Lands Department accepted the request made by the Labour Party to be granted another temporary solution from where to operate. In this sense, the Labour Party was granted on encroachment terms and for a temporary period of five years, the property situated adjacent to the historical palace, while it finds a more permanent solution to house the political club.

In this light, all unfair and biased arguments of alleged political discrimination fizzle out without leaving a trace. These arguments however were highly irresponsible and could have hindered no end the discussions. Government chose to ignore these arguments and not to stoop so low. Certain exponents found it appropriate to misguide and misinform, however I chose to keep the silence, till the appropriate time.

This is why reason prevailed. After months of intensive and silent work, it is very satisfying to note that we reached a solution which was based on reason and we did not need to resort to legal actions or procedures. The move seemed so simple and seamless, that few will realise how legally complicated and equally sensitive the matter was. This was also thanks to Karol Aquilina who from the very first day showed an unprecedented dedication to the project, and worked hard all the way.

At this point we can say that all of Siggiewi gained from this move. Government has reached a conclusion which was accepted and agreed to by everyone without compromising its moral principles. I am more than convinced that the local council shall immediately embark on a very ambitious project of restoration and embellishment, which will shortly be followed by the development of the day care centre.

At the end of this issue the ones who gained the most will no doubt be the people of Siggiewi, without any distinction.

Dr Jason Azzopardi is parliamentary secretary responsible for lands and SMEs

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