Local government minister denies lack of transparency in Capital Projects Fund

At the inauguration of a Family Park in Hal Farrug, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici discussed the investments being made in open spaces around the island.

Asked about the request made to the Auditor General for an investigation into the way the Capital Projects Fund was administered, and the way the projects were chosen, Bonnici stressed that those who had not been selected were naturally unhappy. Bonnici pointed out that 30 projects had been chosen out of a total of 83 proposals.

The opposition made a request to the Auditor General yesterday in response to doubts expressed by the national association of local council executive secretaries and the president of the local council association, Marc Sant, about the way the projects had been chosen.

Bonnici stressed that the choice had been taken by an autonomous board and that those who didn’t agree with the final decision, could appeal this decision.

“The board was run by the local council director, who was appointed by the government, but I was informed about the decision well after it had been made,” Bonnici said.

Bonnici explained that ten localities had appealed the final decision, but that in spite of these appeals, the approved projects would not be taken back whatever the board’s decision about the other projects.

“If the board decides it can add on more projects to the already chosen 30,” Bonnici explained.

“The money for the chosen projects should be supplied from the projects themselves since they should be self-sustaining and should therefore bring some money back into the fund,” Bonnici said.

Using the example of Zejtun, where plans to install a solar panels to provide light in a playing field, would ultimately mean that any extra energy would be supplied back to the fund.

During the inauguration of the Family Park in Hal Farrug, the Luqa local council explained that it was seeing a lack of space for residents of the area. Luqa mayor John Schembri explained that the first part of the project had been funded by the EU.

“The second part of the project would entail the development of a new centre for the area which would house the administrative committee of Hal Farrug.”

Schembri said that the Luqa council would be benefitting from the capital projects fund for the extension and renewal of a playground in Luqa.

“These funds have made the building of a playground, jogging track and picnic area possible, among many others,” Schembri said.