Residents’ NGO slams council over lack of action
‘I don’t do miracles overnight’
The Sliema Residents’ Association yesterday slammed what it said was mayor Johanna Gonzi’s “nonchalant attitude” of blaming other authorities for complaints rather than doing something about them.
The association said that during the annual locality meeting last week, which the council was legally bound to hold, the mayor repeatedly refused to reply to questions concerning the welfare of residents and the locality.
“When pressed for concrete replies, the mayor said she was not obliged to reply to any of the questions put forward, proving this meeting was simply an exercise to satisfy the law. This is a shameful admission,” the association said.
It added that its concerns fell on deaf ears, with petty excuses as to the council’s lack of action. Instead of exerting appropriate pressure and seeking decent replies from various authorities, the council, it said, was simply abdicating its political mandate by shying away and blaming other authorities for the mishaps in Sliema, leaving residents to a sad fate.
“The passive, nonchalant attitude of the mayor to the major issues affecting residents is shocking... It appears that mayor Johanna Gonzi has turned her back on the residents of Sliema and is happy to sit pretty, serving simply as a mouthpiece for her political masters,” the association accused.
Likening the mayor and her councillors to puppets, the association said that if the council was not willing or unable to function, then it should be dissolved and fresh elections held. “Sliema needs a local council capable of taking care of the safety and quality of life of all residents.”
But when contacted, Dr Gonzi rejected the accusations, saying that all councillors were working in the residents’ best interests.
“We are just trying to do our job in spite of all the hurdles, including a negative approach. I’m very sorry if the residents’ association feels this way. There are many problems but we are addressing them within our limitations,” she said.
Dr Gonzi said the council had to sit down with the association to address the pending issues by providing solutions because “grumbling is not enough”.
“I don’t do miracles overnight,” she said.