Marsalforn rocks covered in concrete after workers botch government job

Updated 2.45pm

Workers contracted by the Gozo Ministry to repair a small concrete path at Marsalforn Bay instead poured concrete on surrounding rocks, prompting an emergency clean-up operation on Wednesday. 

Photos shared on social media on Tuesday showed part of the popular bay covered in grey cement. 

Works commenced "within minutes" of the Planning Authority officers' arrival early on Wednesday morning to remove the material that had been illegally placed on site the day before. Photo: PA

Planning Authority documents showed the Gozo Ministry had obtained a Development Notification Order (DNO) for "repair of damaged structures (beach passageways and access stairs) following extensive damages by winter storms". The area was badly hit by Storm Harry in January. 

Cement was poured on the rocks, prompting alarm - and a fix up job. Photo: Wirt Għawdex

There had previously been a concrete passageway in the area and workers were tasked with fixing it.

But speaking to Times of Malta, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said the work carried out on Tuesday was unauthorised and did not comply with the ministry's instructions.

He said workers were on site first thing on Wednesday morning to remove the concrete.

In a Facebook post, the Planning Authority said that after it was informed of the situation, the authority took immediate action and work began to restore the site to its original state.

The PA said its enforcement officers were on site by 7.30am and "within minutes work had already commenced to remove the material that had been illegally placed on site". 

"The removal works are being carried out without delay so that the site is restored to its original state as quickly as possible, while the Authority continues to follow the case in line with the applicable procedures," the PA said.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, Camilleri said that if the work was unauthorised, it would have to be removed.

In a Facebook post, the Permanent Secretary for the Gozo Ministry, Mario Borg, also said he had not been informed about the works, and had not given any authorisation.

"As the person responsible for all operational and administrative functions within the Ministry for Gozo, I will do everything possible to ensure that, should there be any illegalities, they are rectified and do not recur."

Government sources told Times of Malta that once works began, workers were "pressured" by a business to extend the concrete path.

The Coalition for Gozo said it submitted questions to the Planning Authority and the Environmental and Resources Authority regarding the works. 

"We are demanding answers to our questions about this atrocity."

Frank Tabone, the PN's shadow minister for Gozo, demanded to know who would shoulder responsibility. 

"This situation raises serious questions about the way decisions are taken within Government," he said.

"Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing, or not?It is essential that responsibility is shouldered for what happened, that any damage that may have been caused is remedied, and that the people are given a full explanation."