The works scheme announced by the government does not apply to Gozitan Local Councils, the Nationalist Party said Saturday.
In response to a statement by the Nationalist Party regarding funding available to Local Councils, the Government confirmed that the scheme is based on an agreement between the Public Works Department and Local Councils. It also confirmed that only Local Councils in Malta will benefit from the scheme, while Local Councils in Gozo will receive nothing, the PN said.
Originally, Alison Zerafa Civelli had invited Gozitan Local Councils to the launch of the funding scheme for Local Councils, yet they were nevertheless excluded from it.
This is not a technical or administrative issue. It is a political decision which once again shows how this Government is treating Gozo, the PN said.
While local councils in Malta will have access to direct funding to carry out works and projects in their localities, Gozitan Local Councils will continue to depend on the Ministry for Gozo to implement similar projects.
The Ministry for Gozo has not launched any scheme through which local councils in Gozo can access funding for infrastructure projects in their localities, the PN said.
The government "has also failed to answer" the PN's questions on the actual amount of funding allocated to this scheme and how these funds will be distributed.
The Government is not credible when it claims to believe in Local Council autonomy while, at the same time, retaining control over funding and leaving Gozitan Local Councils entirely dependent on the Ministry for Gozo.
It is Gozitan Local Councils themselves that know the priorities of their communities best. They know where maintenance is most urgently needed, where investment in public spaces is required, which roads need intervention and what their residents' needs are.
The PN said it continues to insist that Gozitan local councils must be treated on an equal footing with Local Councils in Malta, with direct funding, transparent criteria and genuine autonomy so that they can decide for themselves how best to invest in their communities.
The government must therefore provide a clear explanation as to why Gozo has been excluded from this funding and why it is refusing to give Gozitan Local Councils the same opportunity being given to Local Councils in Malta.
Gozo cannot continue to be treated as a second-class island. Robert Abela mentioning Gozitans before Maltese people in a political speech means nothing if, when it comes to actual decisions, Gozitans are treated as though they are inferior citizens.
The PN said it will continue working to ensure that Local Councils in Gozo are given greater autonomy, more resources and greater power to take decisions themselves in the best interests of their localities.
The statement was signed by Frank Anthony Tabone, Shadow Minister for Gozo, and Bernice Bonello, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Public Works.