Going through the monumental work by Roger Ellul Micallef, Zammit of Malta, I found that when, in the early 20th century, the Secretary of State for the Colonies authorised the call for tenders on the purchase of electric power plants, to increase the output of electricity in the Maltese islands, many of the elected members led by Nerik Mizzi protested and the authorisation was withdrawn.
These protests were, however, subsequently ignored.
It evidently runs in the blood of some individuals who have a certain political leaning to decide to block improvements.