Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo today told parliament that the Public-Private Partnership concept for roads introduced by a PN government back in 2010 “destroyed” certain local councils.

He said that as a result of such a concept, debts of councils shot up by €2.8 million annually in 2011 and by €3.5 million in 2012.

Parliament is currently discussing amendments to the Local Councils’ Act.

When it comes to capital projects under the PN government, he said that white elephants were created as unfinished projects became the norm.

Councils, he continued, ended up begging for more funds so that they can continue to implement their projects or to help pay off their pending bills. “Local councils were stripped of their dignity,” Dr Buontempo said.

He pointed out that the government would implement the warden reform, which would change the mentality of wardens from one of sanctioning to that of “educating”.

PN whip says government went ahead with council elections decision without hearing out Opposition’s views

PN whip David Agius hit out at Dr Buontempo stating that this government is an “arrogant” one.

On council elections, he said that Dr Buontempo is saying that after it consulted with all stakeholders, the government decided to have the local councils held every five years along with EP elections.

“Is he stating that that everyone gave him the green light to have the council elections held every five years when the government did not even consult with the Opposition and went against its proposal not to hold them every five years?” Mr Agius asked.

This government is not seeking a compromise and is steamrolling over everyone, he continued.

It was an excuse made by the government that the elections should be held every five years due to electoral fatigue”, Mr Agius said.

On local wardens, he said that the government had dubbed the warden system as a racket. But the wardens are still there, two years down the line, and everything is as it was.