Broken promises – Muscat’s hit-list from his Budget reply

Labour leader Joseph Muscat listed 51 government promises which he said had not been kept. "

1.     Hutment Area in Kordin that was to serve 66 businesses.

2.     The setting up of a fund for entrepreneurial training.

3.     Refurbishment of the Kordin industrial estate.

4.     The setting up of a task force to look into the methods and procedures of buying in the public sector to propose strategies and increase efficiency.

5.     A subsidy scheme and a programme for those who buy electric cars - government did not promote it and no one applied.

6.     The installation of charging points in strategic points for electric cars.

7.     The setting up of an agency to reform the Pitkalija.

8.     The extension of the elderly care home in Imsida by 105 beds.

9.     The incentives to those who restore old buildings - promised in 2009, 2010 and now promised again for 2012.

10. The full recovery of the Grand Harbour's breakwater - instead opting for a 'bridge to nowhere'.

11.  A national policy and action plan which promotes a savings culture.

12.  An action plan to increase the efficiency of departments by at least 2%.

13.  A water park in Bugibba.

14.  The opening of a childcare centre in Mosta, Kordin and Xewkija.

15.  The refurbishment of the Dentistry Department in Gozo's General Hospital.

16.  A micro business park in Ghawdex with 39 factories - been promising it three years.

17.  Works on the Xewkija industrial estate.

18.  The building of an indoor pool in Gozo.

19.  Start researching in Gozo for potential wind energy

20.  The rebuilding of the road in Xlendi - was to be finished by 2010 but was postponed to next year.

21. Forestation projects in Gozo - €5,000 spent in MEPA applications for every €1,000 spent.

22. Works on Fort St Elma - €50,140 spent instead of €17.7 million.

23.  The investment of €400,000 to strengthen the electronic system of the POYC - instead €19,000 was spent.

24.  The investment of €2.3 million to reduce waiting lists - instead government invested €400,000 less and waiting lists are still there.

25. The investment of €800,000 to train civil workers to understand the needs of businesses - only one course was carried, for 36 individuals.

26. The introduction of a code of ethics and work for those working in the public sector - still under discussion.

27. The setting up of the Creativity Trust to showcase artistic work.

28. The creation of creative clusters.

29. Works on the temples in Ggantija, Hal Tarxien, St Paul's Catacombs, Roman Baths and the Catacombs in Bistra with an investment of €14 million - only 3% was spent.

30.  To employ 1 person for every two who retire with government - instead 1,647 were employed for the 1,555 who left work.

31. The investment of €1 million in wind farm studies - €85,000 were invested.

32. The refund of 15.2% for the building of independent schools - not one school benefitted.

33. That every student in the first three years of secondary school is given €15 for artistic, cultural and historic activities - the cards are still being awarded.

34. The investment of €1.5 million for the national centre of interactive sciences which would cost €22 million in all - they invested only €500,000

35. Soft loans for hotels and restaurants on projects for clean energy - no help was given.

36. The investment of €1 million in companies who export - instead €13,600 were spent."

Muscat: "Then there were promises made in previous budgets which everyone forgot about" -

37. "The setting up of a task force on regulations and incentives.

38. A new blood transfusion centre.

39. Shared supportive housing for the elderly in Imtarfa.

40. Infrastructural projects in Pitkalija.

41. A micro enterprise park in Mellieha - a promise recurrently made in three years.

42. A project to mitigate flooding.

43. A sound stage for the film industry.

44. A sports complex in Qawra.

45. A childcare centre in Imsida.

46. 200 housing apartments to let.

47. The purchasing of 2,000 housing apartments from the private.

48. A new project for the Addolorata Cemetry.

49. A new fisheries in Marsa - probably the first one in the world without access to the sea.

50. The crafts village in Ta' Qali.

51. The promenade from Qajjenza to Birzebbugia."