Buġibba’s Square Saga: ADPD Calls for Empowered Local Councils

Stroll down Triq il-Kbira in Buġibba today, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a construction site that’s been a fixture of the town’s skyline for what feels like an eternity. The Buġibba Square redevelopment project, initially slated for completion in 2018, is now in its fifth year, leaving residents and visitors alike wondering when the dust will finally settle.

Buġibba’s Never-ending Renovation

The project, aimed at transforming the square into a bustling hub of commerce and leisure, has seen its fair share of delays and setbacks. From changes in the original design to issues with contractors, the project has become a symbol of the challenges faced by local councils in Malta when it comes to large-scale developments.

ADPD, a political party with a strong focus on local governance, has been vocal in its criticism of the project’s handling. “Buġibba Square is not an isolated case,” says Carmel Cacopardo, ADPD’s spokesperson. “It highlights the need for stronger, more empowered local councils that can effectively manage and oversee such projects.”

Strengthening Local Councils: ADPD’s Proposals

ADPD proposes a series of reforms to strengthen local councils, including:

• Increasing the number of councillors and introducing proportional representation to ensure better representation of the community.
• Providing councils with more financial autonomy and decision-making powers, including the ability to levy local taxes.
• Strengthening the role of the Mayor, who would act as the chief executive officer of the council, responsible for implementing its policies and managing its administration.

“We believe that by empowering local councils, we can ensure that projects like Buġibba Square are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the community they serve,” says Cacopardo.

Community Engagement: A Key Ingredient

For ADPD, empowering local councils also means ensuring that they are accountable to their constituents. This includes regular public consultations and transparent decision-making processes. “The community should have a say in how their town develops,” says Cacopardo. “After all, it’s their town, their home.”

In Buġibba, this has meant regular meetings with residents and business owners to discuss the progress of the square’s redevelopment. While these meetings haven’t always led to immediate solutions, they have helped to build a sense of community ownership over the project.

As for the Buġibba Square project, the latest estimates suggest that it could be completed by the end of 2023. But with each passing month, the calls for stronger local councils grow louder. As Cacopardo puts it, “We can’t afford to let another Buġibba Square happen. It’s time to give our local councils the tools they need to serve their communities effectively.”