Valletta residents deserve a focused, honest, and transparent council, Valletta local councillors from the Nationalist Party said.

"Yesterday, the PN councillors of Valletta walked out of an urgent Local Council meeting, which had been called by the Executive Secretary under the instructions of Labour Mayor Olaf McKay. The meeting was convened in light of serious allegations, including those made by Labour Deputy Mayor Alfred Zammit." 

"Before the emergency meeting, about which all councillors were informed on Friday at 10pm, former Labour Mayor of Valletta, Alfred Zammit, publicly announced on social media that he would not attend in protest. He cited what he described as 'untruthful testimony under oath by council members and allegations of a conflict of interest regarding the restoration tender for the façade of St Paul's Church, made by the Archpriest of the Parish'," the PN councillors said.

 "The same Deputy Mayor asserted that the council's current operations are 'not business as usual,' claiming that the emergency meeting was called in a hurried and 'panicked' manner to rush through the approval of the council's finances for 2024. Zammit stated that he was awaiting an investigation by the authorities."

"Before walking out of the meeting, PN councillors firmly demanded that those facing allegations step forward and provide a clear explanation. At the same time, they insisted on the immediate launch of an investigation into these allegations to ensure that all facts are fully disclosed."

 The allegations in question are serious and cannot be ignored, the PN councillors said.

"The Nationalist Party councillors of Valletta refuse to turn a blind eye to matters affecting the integrity and governance of the Local Council. It is the duty of all councillors to guarantee full transparency and to keep the public clearly informed about the truth behind these accusations. The PN councillors in Valletta stress that the residents have a right to understand why these allegations have surfaced and what steps will be taken to ensure that the situation is addressed properly and responsibly," the statement by the PN councillors read.

They insist that the allegations be discussed and investigated immediately without delay. They are also demanding that all financial matters, except for the approval of necessary payments, be discussed and approved only after the investigations have been concluded.

 "The PN firmly maintains that good governance and the integrity of the Local Council must be safeguarded. Consequently, it expects immediate action and a clear response from the authorities and the Labour-majority council."

The statement was signed by Ylenia Montfort - Minority Leader and PN Councillor, Valletta, Roberta Bonello Felice - PN Councillor, Valletta, and Vince Fabri - PN Councillor, Valletta.