Muscat disappointed with local councils' performance, sceptical over elections

Local councils elections are a test in Malta, and I believe it’s going to be difficult for the Labour Party to triumph during these elections, PL leader Joseph Muscat said.

Speaking on One Radio, Muscat said national scepticism existed amongst the citizens over the work local councils do, adding that this is proved the relatively small number of Maltese who vote during the local councils elections.

“Even though local councils carry out  good work and there are good councilors, however there are others – coming from both political arenas – which are disappointing,” Muscat said. He said that a number of local councils are an extension of government’s bureaucracy rather than being present to help the citizen.

The PL, Muscat said, intends to eradicate the “barriers” which local councils face in terms of bureaucracy. Lately, he added, local councils have been faced by scandals which have hindered the good work which other local councils do: “Whilst there are councils which work, others are either not doing their job well or else it’s not being delivered to the public.”

Muscat added that the PL will be presenting a new team of experts who are ready to change things in the way which the councils operate. “I must admit we have been disappointed with the performance of certain councillors. I thank them for their work but I also ask them not to contest again,” Muscat said, adding that if need be, PL councillors would have to change the way they operate if their method does not deliver.

Talking on Libya, Muscat said the PL had maintained contact with the country throughout the last months whilst it constantly monitored the latest developments. Describing it as a “golden opportunity” for Malta to strengthen its relations with the NTC, Muscat said the two must build new relations based on “friendship”.

He said, agreements between the two countries should not be solely economic ones, but should include the protection of environment and energy amongst other issues.

Referring to the latest spat between the PL and the PN over who had been the closest to the Gaddafi Regime, Muscat said he hoped that Malta “does not lose time over senseless talk but looks forward to safeguard its national interest.” He added that it’s in Malta’s interest that there is no conflict in the Mediterranean, and expressed satisfaction that even the NTC had recognised this.

“What we need right now is for both Government and Opposition to agree on how to move forward,” Muscat said, adding that the PL was ready to move towards such consensus. He said, it is high time that “things of the past are not recalled, as we look out for the future good.”

In the coming months government should also work for what belongs to Malta by right.

Speaking on the cost of living, Muscat said that currently the island was spending €555,000 per day on debt serving costs, whilst utility bills have reached the highest cost ever.

Muscat reiterated Labour’s promise that Labour in government would reduce the bills, adding that the party would never make promises it cannot keep.

He said that by tackling energy, Labour would be able to improve not only the environment sector, but also the economy and social aspects.

Referring to the Delimara power station’s chimney which were built ahead of dispersion studies, Muscat said the MEPA was “government’s lapdog”, operating with double standards. He said that whilst the Prime Minister had pledged to reform the authority in 2008, the MEPA is ever the same as it was, where customers are only accommodated if they had "contacts".