850kms of wiring removed from Valletta

Enough wiring to go from one end of Valletta to another 850 times has been removed from buildings in the capital city by Maltacom in a project now nearing completion.

Telephone wires and old Rediffusion wiring have defaced important and less important edifices in Valletta for many years.

No less than 850 kilometres of wiring have now been removed in the Lm2 million project, which got underway three years ago and is expected to be completed in two months' time.

Austin Gatt, the Minister for Investment, IT and Industry said the project reflected Maltacom's commitment towards the national heritage and showed that partnerships with local councils could work for the benefit of the country.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said at a news conference that apart from the removal of the wires, works included the building of a number of sub stations to feed the digital system, the introduction of fibre-optic cables, the removal of unsightly connection boxes on the walls and the construction of underground chambers and road trenching to take new wiring.

He described Maltacom as "the company that sets an example for its work, commitment and organisation".

Maltacom chairman Saviour Portelli noted that 19 tons of wire were removed during the works. Three hundred kilometres of wires were then installed for 8,500 clients.

The project also included the installation of 10 kilometres of fibre optic cable and 67 kilometres of copper wiring.

A total of 370 manholes were installed to enable workers to carry out the necessary maintenance works on the surface, eliminating the need for dangerous and inconvenient underground work.