Apr 03 - GSD: Government Lies Over Glacis And Laguna Estates
The GSD has said that Tuesday’s statement by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo that the GSD Government had “done nothing” for Laguna and Glacis Estate in 16 years of Government, is “typical of his now tiresome spin, excess and exaggeration.”
The Opposition says that Mr Picardo appears to be “incapable of making a measured statement” adding that if Mr Picardo spent “less time on spin and marketing and more time calmly and intelligently running the affairs of Gibraltar, we would not be in the mess that we are in on various fronts.”
The Opposition argues that during its time in Office, the GSD invested heavily in major capital projects on numerous Government housing estates and not only the two estates in question. According to the GSD, in its first 10 years of Government, it spent over £30m on refurbishment works.
In relation to Laguna Estate as recently as 2010-11, the GSD says it spent a considerable amount of money building sheds for residents and it also renewed the playground and beautified the estate. Glacis Tower blocks had lifts renewed and major roof repairs carried out. The GSD says it introduced residents’ only parking schemes and built additional parking facilities to overcome traffic problems within the estates. All these plans were developed after consultation with the Tenants Associations, a lesson, it says, the GSLP “could do well to learn from.”
A statement from the party concludes: “Indeed, when he talks about ‘forgotten estates’ Mr Picardo would do well to remember one of the most embarrassing moments of his tenure in office, namely when he forgot to consult tenants of these estates before announcing with great fanfare, typical of him, the decision to build an extra floor on all the blocks. This was something that ultimately cost the taxpayer a considerable amount of money in the prepared, but then rejected, plans.
“Every Government contributes in their own way to an improvement in the quality of living of the citizens of Gibraltar. No doubt the present Government will make such a contribution and that is what Mr. Picardo should concentrate on achieving rather than just simply repeating his often rehearsed “blame the GSD” punch line.”
