Embellishment and restoration projects in just two years

Throughout these last two years, the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure has been continuously engaged in successfully completing its projects - the results, which are there for all to see, are proof that the work has been accomplished.

The projects range from those dealing with restoration and embellishment, to others which are more intensive, focusing on the prevention of flooding.

Starting with the capital, Valletta, two important projects inaugurated in these first two years were the Lower and Upper Barracca. These two gardens were the first in a series of public gardens where upgrading works are being carried out.

These include Hastings Garden, Zurrieq Garden, and the Mqabba Garden, completed a month ago. In all these projects, the work consisted not only of aesthetic improvements (such as furniture and light fittings), but also of infrastructural upgrading of the area including the surroundings. Similar work was also carried out on squares in various localities, including Mellieha and Safi.

In the past two years, the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure carried out several other embellishment projects, among them the promenades at Bugibba and St Thomas Bay in Marsascala. In both cases the coastal stretch was made accessible to accommodate all those wishing to take a walk along the promenades, while at the same time giving the Maltese coastline an enhanced view.

Malta's entertainment mecca, Paceville, was also given a boost by means of paving and other infrastructural work. At the same time, while retaining the original medieval streetscape, as much as possible, Mdina too is being given a much needed facelift. Here, the works included the removal of all visible cables and wiring, thus removing eyesores and complementing the final look.

Another major project was the embellishment of the Xarolla windmill at Zurrieq, which incorporates the revamping of a valued historical and cultural site comprising not only the windmill itself, but also the Punic catacombs, the chapel dedicated to St Andrew, as well as the cemetery. This small archaeological park was a hidden treasure, which now can be enjoyed by all.

During these two years, a master plan was also drawn up for the Birgu area. This plan was intended to ensure that important historical monuments in the Three Cities are given the maintenance required according to a reasonable programme of works. In fact, various works have already been carried out on the bastions surrounding the Three Cities, on Senglea's main gate, on the Inquisitor's Palace and other infrastructural work in Paolino Vassallo Square, in Cospicua.

While all these projects were on course, the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure also kept pace with ongoing restoration projects. These restoration works were performed on a considerable number of chapels and monuments, among them the Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta, Sarria Church in Floriana, the chapel dedicated to St Catherine at Mqabba, La Vallette Hall in the Mediterranean Conference Centre, the Quarantine Bastions in Pinto Wharf, the Victoria Lines, as well as the Torre dello Standardo in Mdina.

Keeping in mind the aim behind the setting up of local councils - that of decentralising tasks to individual localities - a joint venture scheme was launched early last year. This was aimed to encourage local councils to identify and propose particular local projects (such as road patching, paving, and other infrastructural works), which would be carried out with the help of the central government.

This scheme was a great success, since to date some 35 local councils have participated in the scheme, benefiting from a total amount of around Lm100,000. A unique major project in the scheme was the restoration of the Wignacourt Aqueduct with the participation of four local councils. Recently, two other restoration projects were completed through the scheme namely the Ghajn tal-Hasselin in Valley Road, Msida, and the Cwerra Chapel in Siggiewi.

Yet, apart from all these projects, this ministry is also responsible for flood prevention, a serious problem with potentially disastrous effects. After the great damage caused during the September 2003 thunderstorms, a stormwater watercourse project was started in the most troublesome catchment areas - the Marsa/Qormi area and Burmarrad.

The project involves the cleaning of the valleys leading to the particular areas and the total rebuilding of the watercourse structure with the addition of new bridges and other channels to ease the waterflow. Both projects are now in their second phase.

The projects mentioned above are just a quick round-up of the first two years of this ministry, which do not include other several works related to the general cleaning up of the country. In the next three years, the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure is geared to continue at this pace for the benefit of the Maltese Islands.

Mr Zammit is Minister of Resources and Infrastructure