In a press conference in Balzan, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that its elected councillors will ensure that infrastructure in localities is accessible to all residents.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson and Sliema candidate, said: “At the moment, our streets are akin to a moonscape, and various pavements are in a bad state. AD councillors will ensure that construction follows all rules and regulations, trucks are not over laden and that the authorities really enforce against damage to streets and pavements. AD councillors will also ensure that councils oppose unsustainable development. We have the necessary experience to defend residents’ rights, including the elderly, children, parents with pushchairs, pedestrians and persons with disability. Unlike other political parties, we have no ties to big developers who are much to blame for the abysmal state of many roads and pavements”.
Ralph Cassar, AD Secretary General said: “Our communities are constantly developing and there will always be issues which need tackling. Our main priorities will be to seek consensus and agreement on a mobility plan for our towns and villages, with an emphasis on pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets and pressing for continuous improvement in public transport. Public libraries are also a priority – these can become community centres where people can meet and cultural activities can be held. AD councillors will also promote campaigns about recycling, energy efficiency and overdevelopment.
Andre’ Vella, AD local council candidate in Balzan said: “Overdevelopment threatens our cultural heritage and aggravates the flooding problem. Moreover the council is doing a poor job at mitigating the flooding problem and protecting its gardens. Palazz ta’ Rohan is a case in point, where the council was absent despite the concerns voiced by the residents. AD endorses the position of FAA to oppose the development. It is obvious from the state of the roads that the council is trying to rush projects to complete them before Saturday, but the final result is extremely shoddy work. If elected in the local council, through Alternattiva Demokratika I will work with NGOs to safeguard the rights of the residents.”
Infrastruttura Accessibbli – Prijorita` ghall-AD
F’konferenza stampa gewwa Hal-Balzan, l-Alternattiva Demokratika qalet illi l-kunsilliera eletti taghha sejrin jassiguraw illi l-infrastruttura fil-lokalitajiet hija accessibbli mir-residenti kollha.
Michael Briguglio, Chairperson ta’ l-AD u kandidat ghal tas-Sliema, qal: “Prezenzjalment, it-toroq taghna huma mizghuda bil-hofor, u bosta bankini jinstabu fi stat hazin. Il-kunsilliera ta’ l-AD sejrin jassiguraw illi l-kostruzzjoni ssegwi r-regoli kollha, trakkijiet ma jitghabbewx izzejjed, u li l-awtoritajiet jenforzaw kontra hsara li ssir lit-toroq u bankini. Il-kunsilliera ta’ l-AD sejrin jassiguraw ukoll illi l-kunsilli ma jappoggjawx zvilupp li m’huwiex sostenibbli. Ghandna l-esperjenza mehtiega sabiex niddefendu d-drittijiet tar-residenti, inkluz dawk ta’ l-anzjani, tat-tfal, tal-genituri bil-pushchairs, tan-nies li jkunu mexjin fit-triq, u tan-nies b’dizabilita`. Ghall-kuntrarju ta’ partiti politici ohrajn, ahna m’ghandna ebda rabta ma’ zviluppaturi, li ghandhom hafna mit-tort ghall-istat daqstant hazin ta’ hafna mit-toroq u bankini”.
Ralph Cassar, is-Segretarju Generali tal-AD qal: “Il-komunitajiet taghna qeghdin jizviluppaw kontinwament, u dejjem se jkun hemm problemi li ghandhom jissolvew. Il-prijoritajiet principali taghna ser ikunu li nilhqu consensus u ftehim fuq pjan ta’ mobilita` ghall-irhula u bliet taghna, b’enfasi fuq toroq li jistghu jintuzaw min-nies u mir-roti, u ghat-titjib kontinwu fit-trasport pubbliku. Il-libreriji pubblici huma ukoll prijorita` – dawn jistghu isiru centri tal-komunita`, fejn in-nies jiltaqghu u fejn jittellghu attivitajiet kulturali. Il-kunsilliera ta’ l-AD sejrin ukoll jippromwovu kampanji dwar ir-reciklar, efficjenza ta’ l-energija, u zvilupp zejjed.
Andre’ Vella, kandidat mal-Alternattiva Demokratika fuq Hal Balzan qal: “L-izvilupp bla razan qed jhedded il-wirt kulturali taghna u qed jaggrava l-problema tal-gharar. Barra minn hekk il-kunsill mhux qed jaghmel xogholu sew biex tittaffa l-problema tal-gharar u jipprotegi l-gonna. Il-Palazz ta’ Rohan huwa ezempju car, fejn il-kunsill kien assenti minkejja l-ilmenti tar-residenti. AD tapprova l-pozizzjoni tal-FAA li opponiet l-izvilupp. Hija ovja mill-istat tat-toroq li l-kunsill qed jiprova jaghmel hafna xogholijiet bl-ghagla biex jintelstu qabel nhar is-Sibt, imma r-rizultat finali huwa xoghol ta kaf kaf, Jekk nigi elett fil-kunsill lokali, permezz tal-Alternattiva Demokratika nkun qed nahdem flimkien mal-ghaqdiet non-governattivi biex nissalvagwardja d-drittijiet tar-residenti.”
