Gonzi hears PN activist complain that ‘no MP ever comes to Zejtun club’

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has admitted that his ministers and MPs have been too busy to follow their constituencies and regularly attend party clubs in various localities. He was addressing a grassroots meeting held at the Nationalist Party’s headquarters earlier today.

The Prime Minister was reacting to angry comments made by Zejtun PN activist Joe Brownrigg, who is also the president of the PN club in the same locality.

Brownrigg stressed that he was prepared to shut the PN club in Zejtun and hand over the keys to the party as from next week “as only one MP comes to the club, while the rest seem not to be bothered any more.”

The audience’s reaction, surprisingly, was one of loud disapproval. But Gonzi said that “a solution had to be found for MPs to be more accessible to the general public.”

Issues relating to MPs visiting PN clubs in various localities have been on the party’s agenda for a long time as internal surveys have shown that voters are frustrated at the fact that their elected representatives are difficult to approach. Many have complained that MPs only turn up on the eve of an election when they ask for votes.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister agreed with many who stressed that Government needed to address issues relating to Enemalta in particular where bills and customer services are concerned.  One activist pointed out that Government has lost its “marbles” when bills are being issued after nine to twelve months of limbo and expecting people to pay up their utilities in a few days.  With regards to customer service, PN activist lambasted Enemalta for dismal customer care service.

The Prime Minister was sympathetic to the issues raised and promised to look into delays at the customer care service at Enemalta. He however noted that families are being helped with their bills to help them adapt to the new bill changes.

With regards to the White Rocks sports village, the Prime Minister said he is looking forward to new investment which will help boost up the sport and tourist sector.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss what the government has done these past two years. The Prime Minister felt confident to say that “even though these past two years were difficult ones, we still managed to move forward in the three basic sectors of our economy – economy, health and education.”