Euros in motion: political deliverables pick up speed in 2011

Burdened with the reality that the Nationalist Party has been in power for the last 20 years – save a 22-month interruption of a Labour government between 1996 and 1998 – Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is set to face a crucial 2012, which will be his last full year in office for this legislature.

A general election is technically expected not later than midway 2013, making next year strategic for the Premier to deliver on his government’s promises, amid new stringent surveillance to rein in the public deficit and tensions over how the Greek debt fallout will continue to unfold for the eurozone.

Gonzi will have to deliver, as he continues to walk on a tight-rope with a fragile one-seat majority in the House.

Often a time, the Prime Minister’s agenda was diverted to focus on quelling backbench rebellions. But the latest threat – triggered by Franco Debono over his declared intention to abstain on no-confidence motion in transport minister Austin Gatt – has the potential of destabilising prospects for 2012.

Should Gatt survive the vote on 4 November with the Speaker’s casting vote, Gonzi’s government would be weakened, and also ignite considerations for a snap election.

Austin Gatt may be renowned for his lack of charm and bulldozer tactics, but in truth he is Gonzi’s most ‘intelligent’ and perhaps his most productive minister, and the PM cannot afford to lose Gatt at this time.

Parliament will be debating Labour’s motion on the public transport fiasco two days before the new changes to the service come into force on 6 November, but Gonzi has apparently been advised to steer clear from the thorny issue, and not allow the public transport fiasco stick to him, tainting his prospects for re-election.

For pragmatism or ruthlessness, Gonzi has since not come out to defend Gatt, and appeared passive, but concerned, as he emerged from two meetings of the PN’s executive council which was summoned to discuss the bus reform.

It is important to note that Gonzi chose to have the matter discussed within the party’s executive, and not within the parliamentary group, which has not convened for months.

It is this pragmatism that raises many questions relating to Gonzi’s survival in office in 2012, as he appears even more conscious of the risks he faces as the split between his front and backbenches becomes more obvious.

But calling an election is not as simple as one may think.

When faced with Dom Mintoff’s rebellion in 1998, then Prime Minister Alfred Sant had called a snap election just 22 months into Labour’s return to office, after almost 10 years in opposition.

Sant gambled and lost that election heavily, mainly because he underestimated the impact of internal squabbles on the electorate, and his lack of communication with the party, which in truth was caught unprepared to organise a campaign.

Lawrence Gonzi may be tempted to call an early election and call his rebel’s bluff, but he also knows that the PN is far from ready for a campaign.

The PN’s strategy group is headed by John Zammit, a man known for his ‘no-frills’ in public relations approach, capable of alienating the vast spectrum of voters by projecting a dynamic image of government through his philosophy of the importance of delivery where it matters to the voter.

A year in motion

Behind the scenes of an often-stalling one-seat majority government, Gonzi’s government has been active on all fronts, most especially in delivering roads, infrastructure and services. Some €440 million have been voted for capital projects in 2011.

Rummaging through a whole year of ministerial appointments and relative press releases from January to last week, one discovers that parliamentary secretary Chris Said has been on the forefront in heeding John Zammit’s philosophy of delivering where it matters most to the voter.

Over the past three years, government has allocated €120 million to local councils, and an extra €15.7 million were granted to councils under 51 schemes aimed at a number of projects that include the installation of photo-voltaic panels, good upkeep of playing fields, cleaning services, sports activities out of which 8,000 people have benefited from, educational courses, cultural activities, enhancing public libraries and the restoration and embellishment of landmark buildings and public squares.

Some 230 residential roads have been surfaced at an estimated cost of €15 million, while European funds are being tapped and received through MEUSAC for joint council-EU projects.

211 unemployed persons were engaged on jobs by local councils on a Community Workers’ scheme, receiving 75% of the minimum wage apart from their benefit.

Some 40 public dialogue meetings around Malta and Gozo have been held, while Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi follows in regular public activity in launching initiatives which deliver where it matters most to the voter.

Under his watch a number of properties, landmarks and land have been passed on to local councils and NGOs, under a devolution scheme that has picked up momentum over the past years.

In February, Jason Azzopardi announced that 8,107 mothers have started to benefit from an income tax reduction scheme for returning to work, while 2,131 families started to benefit from tax benefits for sending their children to child centres.

A €16 million embellishment programme in industrial zones around Malta and Gozo was launched and works were initiated immediately, while 708 small business owners invested almost €10.7 million in expanding their operations after benefiting from the Microinvest scheme, creating 285 new jobs.

During this year alone, the Lands Department intervened on 960 direct enforcement actions against squatters, abuse or illegal use of public land. The figure rocketed from 334 in 2008.

Under the finance ministry, Jason Azzopardi is overseeing works that have started in Tal-Qroqq on a €29 millionLife Sciences Centre to be named BioMalta Campus. The project is co-financed between government, Malta Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.

Finance minister Tonio Fenech issued €4 million in a one-off special allowance to 62,000 individuals in compensation for increased utility tariffs.

2,400 cars were scrapped in one year under a special scheme this year, and Census 2011 was launched in every household.

The ministry also launched eProcurement which has changed the way government conducts public procurement.

While works on the Delimara power station extension started this year and are already at a very advanced stage, government also inaugurated sewage treatment plants which have made Malta the only Mediterranean nation that treats all sewage outflows.

Fiasco aside

Putting aside the route fiasco, the public transport reform that came into force on 4 July, saw the garaging of an aged bus fleet and the advent of eco-friendly, air conditioned buses.

Austin Gatt’s ministry however, has been the backbone for a wave of reforms that have broken long-time monopolies and liberalised sectors which were considered to be ‘no go areas’.

These sectors include taxis, mini buses, coaches, unscheduled bus service, hearses, ferries and water taxis.

IT has been Gatt’s ministry’s power base, and this year all localities throughout Malta and Gozo are covered by internet Wi-Fi hotspots.

Government has completed its national connectivity strategy, linking all government departments, digitising the Lands Department, Public Registry, ID department and introduced biometric passports.

Works on the rebuilding and regeneration of the Grand Harbour breakwater bridge have been completed, while works are underway on the Barrakka lift.

Gonzi and Gatt saw to the initiation of major works to the Valletta City Gate project.

In May, they followed the demolition of the capital’s old gate and start of excavation works in former Freedom Square. The site has since started to take shape and the new Parliament Building and opera house are in visibly in an advanced stage.

Towards the end of last year, SmartCity Malta inaugurated its first block, but the multi-million project remains late on schedule in its delivery on jobs, as Gatt admits delay in MEPA’s permits on sewage outfall.

Although waiting lists remain a problem, health minister Joe Cassar initiated talks with doctors, nurses and health sector workers’ unions to seek ways of improving the efficiency at Mater Dei Hospital.

During the first six months of 2011, Mater Dei handled an increase of 2,800 operations. Expenditure on health this year tops €378 million.

Works have started on a new cancer hospital, while further embellishment and modernisation works continued at Mount Carmel Hospital, and in homes for the elderly.

The Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme continued to expand, the price of more medicines has been reduced, and the hospital also catered to injured Libyans following the uprising.

Social services

Dolores Cristina’s ‘super ministry’ handles a €934 million social services bill in 2011, out of which €733 were paid out in social benefits.

This year alone, the education sector was allocated €340 million, two new schools are currently being built, works are underway on the new MCAST campus in Corradino, standing schools modernised and facilities improved at a cost of €3.8 million, and 1,800 interactive whiteboards installed in State schools.

The ministry continued to suffer the setback of having EU’s Erasmus funds blocked, but compensated for the loss through a number of scholarships which were increased pending the impasse with the European Commission.

€43.2 million were paid out to Church schools, while €3.5 million were passed on to the University of Malta in subventions.

Government estimates that 3,800 children have attended IT course E-TFAL with 10 hours of free tuition. 240 of the children are from Gozo.

Environment minister George Pullicino delivered on his promise to pedestrianise Bisazza Street, only to (once again) discover a problem with the new bus route, which now had to be diverted through Tigne’.

The Sliema front regeneration works were completed and the new Tigne’ tunnel is operational.

Animal welfare concerns were addressed with the St Francis clinic, and legislation was modernised, enforcing micro-chipping and registration of pets.  Works continued on storm water projects, valley cleaning, forestation, waste recycling, rehabilitation of derelict spaces, and wind farm technology planning.

Sport nightmare

2011 may be remembered as government’s ‘annus horribilis’ where sports projects are concerned.

After the stalling of the White Rocks Sports Complex project, which had to take off this year, another cold shower was taken as Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli announced government’s strategy for sports, and launched a call for expression of interest for the development of the Marsa Sports Village, for which nobody applied.

Projects apart, for the first time in recent history, government launched a sports recruitment scheme for the Armed Forces, while substantial amounts of money were forwarded to various sports organisations. Sports facilities were modernised and built around the island.

Tourism

2011 may be considered as a bumper year in tourism, with an increased number of tourist arrivals, who however stayed less and spent less, leading hoteliers to express concern over eroding profitability, and daunting prospects for the autumn and winter.

For this year, government expenditure on tourism is in excess of €35 million, with €10 million spent as assistance to operators to enhance their product.

Another €11 million are being spent on the construction of gardens in Pembroke and an Aquarium in Bugibba, while another €6.5 million are being spent on the embellishment and upkeep of tourist zones. Expenditure on heritage sites upkeep is expected to reach €14  million.

Gozo

Gozo minister Giovanna Debono continues to struggle to address the island’s unemployment, and has focused her work on securing funding and facilities for training Gozitans in various sectors.

Funds have been injected into Gozo’s training institute for the tourism industry, the extension of the centre for art and crafts, and a crafts development centre, ETC schemes, courses for sustainable careers, Gozo university, training courses to enhance the employability of the Gozitan workforce.

Works have progressed and been completed on major projects in Gozo, including the reconstruction and modernisation of the road network, sewage treatment plants, provision of cold storage facilities.

The Gozo General Hospital has been fitted with a radiology department, and more services given to outpatients.