The Nationalist Party has issued a statement criticising Transport Minister Chris Bonett, and the site selected for a proposed civic centre in Santa Luċija

"The residents of Santa Luċija voted for a local council to work in their interest. The Government's only obligation is to provide local councils with the tools and resources to implement projects and improve the lives of their residents," the PN said.

"The PN's councillors in Santa Luċija will not accept being held hostage by a minister who wants to use the council for personal gain, knowing full well he is losing popularity. That is not the council's role. The council exists to serve the people, not the minister."

"This week, during a Santa Luċija Local Council meeting, it became clear that the Labour councillors within the council are being held hostage by Minister Chris Bonett, who, knowing that the council lacks funds for a new civic centre project, wants to manipulate the council and destroy virgin land instead of choosing an alternative site."

"This was evident during discussions about the new civic centre for Santa Luċija wherein: The mayor clearly stated that this project is being pushed by Minister Bonett; It was mentioned that the Santa Luċija Local Council does not have the funds for this development, but Minister Bonett is willing to push for the project to be financed by the Government."

"It appears that the Labour Government has also taken control of the local councils, treating them as mere tools to cover up its many failures. After years of tightening the councils' resources, the government is now using its power to extract whatever it wants from them. Having stripped them of all authority, it now wants them to dance to its tune," the PN said.

The PN Councillors in Santa Luċija, Liam Sciberras and Connie Debattista, appealed to the Labour Party councillors to remember the oath of loyalty they took to work, first and foremost, for the good of the residents and the locality, "not to act as canvassers for the Minister."

"One hopes that the fact that one of the Labour councillors in Santa Luċija is employed in Minister Bonett's own secretariat is not affecting how she performs her role as councillor, and that she is not using her position to influence or dictate what should be done so that the minister employing her can score some political points by using the council and public funds for his own political gain. The local council is not some coffee morning hosted by the Minister."

In a motion he submitted, PN Minority Leader in Santa Luċija Liam Sciberras proposed that the civic centre, which everyone agrees is needed, should not be built on virgin land as proposed by the minister, but on an alternative site that does not encroach on open space. He suggested starting discussions with the authorities to potentially redevelop an existing building currently used by the Commissioner for Children.

In his Motion, Sciberras said that if all Councillors in Santa Luċija truly want to work in favour of the environment and the locality's open spaces - as declared in a previous motion tabled by the Labour Mayor and unanimously approved - then all Councillors have a duty to ensure that virgin land remains open and accessible to residents.

"If the Labour Government and its representatives in local councils want to be believed and if they genuinely respect the citizen, they should fulfil their promises to safeguard the environment and provide more open spaces, not take up existing open space and develop it."

"The Labour councillors in Santa Luċija should also remember that they were elected by the residents to serve them, not to serve the Minister, regardless of any full-time employment they may hold. The PN appeals for a sincere spirit, with full respect towards the entire community of Santa Luċija and a commitment to protecting open spaces. An alternative site should be found for this project, and the current open space should remain open and accessible to the community of Santa Luċija and its visitors."

Government responds

In a government statement, Minister Chris Bonett "categorically denied the baseless and incorrect allegations made in the Nationalist Party's statement regarding the construction of a new civic centre in Santa Luċija. A civic centre that the Santa Luċija Local Council has for more than 30 years been asking for government assistance to build it."

"As evidenced by the direct communication between the Ministry and the Santa Luċija Council, it was the local council itself-like many others councils-that approached Minister Bonett for assistance through the Public Works Department. Moreover, the council itself selected the site for the civic centre. The communication between both parties also clarified that the site was chosen following a consultation meeting with residents, after which the final decision was made by the council," the government said.

"The facts cannot be disputed. This is yet another spin by the Nationalist Party-baseless attacks, unfounded allegations, and claims that nobody believes."

The Government, particularly the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, has always maintained an 'open door policy' with all local councils, regardless of political affiliation, the government said. "Unfortunately, today's attack on the minister and this project once again demonstrates that, under its leadership, the Nationalist Party would make a distinction between councils, as it did when in government. These attacks will not stop the council, which, with the support of the central government, will ensure that residents have a new, more accessible, and safer civic centre for the benefit of the community."