Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/275833
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2014 3 News Muscat gets mixed reaction after one year in government poverty, as positive initiatives. "However, I feel that this govern- ment is far too committed to eco- nomic growth and being pro-busi- ness. This might be easier since the businessman's lobby has more inf lu- ence than the grief of the vulerable." Miceli said that the living wage and other vital social issues have to be placed on the top of the agenda and discussed thoroughly. Environment – 3 points from FAA coordinator Astrid Vella Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) coordinator, Astrid Vella said that the Labour Party manifes- to identifies air pollution as the key issue to be addressed, and environ- mental health as the focus of every decision, and yet permits identified as aggravating air pollution – nota- bly the Mistra and Zbibu Lane San Gwann cases – have been waved through, and many of the new plan- ning policies have a detrimental ef- fect on environmental health. She said that trees – our best hope for combating air pollution – are still being uprooted, with 600 mature trees due to be uprooted in Salina shortly. Electric cars are being encouraged, but instead of strengthening public transport, it is use of private vehicles that are being encouraged with the promise of car parks in every town and village. "Most of the clauses of the Labour Manifesto which benefit developers, like reduced tariffs and bureaucracy are being delivered, while most en- vironmental pledges are in limbo," Vella said. The FAA coordinator said that the Labour Manifesto included the separation of the planning and en- vironmental functions of MEPA in order to establish a balance between planning and environment. Howev- er, Vella said that what emerged was quite the opposite – one year on, the environment directorate is still lacking a Director and no details have been released as to the Envi- ronment Directorate's role in the processing of development permits in environmentally sensitive areas. Health – 2 points from MUMN president Paul Pace Malta Union for Midwives and Nurses president Paul Pace claimed he would have awarded the same low rating to government during the previous administration. "After a year of Labour govern- ment, I have to give the same rat- ing." Pace said that the various slogans and battle cries during the electoral campaign, during the first year of Labour government, "the situation in the health sector is much worse". "Distressing management prob- lems are still apparent. Nothing has changed. Indeed, at the Gozo General Hospital things have gone shoddier. The health sector was in an awful state, and still is," Pace said. He said that it is unacceptable for patients to be left to languish in cor- ridors. "Patients know that nurses are do- ing their best and the main problem is the system in general." Charles Miceli Astrid Vella Paul Pace 5 3 2 Two injured in Gudja traffic accident TWO men were injured following a traffic accident in Triq Hal-Tarxien, Gudja yesterday. Around 12:20pm, a van driven by a 24-year-old man from Ghaxaq over- turned following an impact with a Daff trailer van. The driver and another passenger in the vehicle were given first assist- ance by members of the police Ad- ministrative Law Enforcement unit who happened to be driving past. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD