Speaking during a visit to the sites yesterday, Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett, who was accompanied by parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo, said that the work was being coordinated by the Network Infrastructure Directorate of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT).

Mr Mugliett made particular reference to the fact that the spirit in which the four Maltese contractors were engaged should be a model for the future.

“When there is goodwill on all sides, agreement can be reached. And when agreement is reached, work can go ahead and contracts can be awarded,” he said.

To give an example, Mr Mugliett said the ADT had pushed up its estimated amount by 25 per cent in Mosta while the contractor had reduced his fee. “That is compromise. The contractors say we award contracts in fits and starts, but the work is there. The more contracts they undertake, the more their overheads will drop and they will, in turn, become more profitable,” he said.

Mr Mugliett also said that that government will be taking a good look at its procedures to try and make life easier for contractors.

“There are some instances where 25 per cent of payment is held back until five years after a project is completed and we will have to look into reviewing that,” said Mr Mugliett.

Mr Mugliett continued: “These projects will improve the transit of commercial vehicles through both areas and will, therefore, in turn mean that the enterprises will become more efficient and productive.

“Roads feature prominently in everybody’s lives. Government is committed to improving the road infrastructure on all levels and is therefore investing not only in the residential and arterial networks, but also in the industrial network,” he said.

He also pointed out that the environment of industrial zones could also effect the finished product of a business; a car sprayer, for example, would be hindered by dust.

Mr Mugliett reminded that there were another three projects on the go in Mosta. “The ring road works are moving ahead brilliantly and the reconstruction of Tal Qlejgha and Targa Gap, which are financed by the Fifth Italian protocol, are also underway,” he said.

He said that in addition, the Mosta local council was working with the ADT to pave the square in front of Mosta Dome.

He said it was important that while government remained committed to investing in roads, it had to ensure that it invested wisely and to get the best possible value for money.

Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo reiterated that access to industrial zones would be much improved as a result of this

project.

“The mentality that our industry is based in no man’s land will be wiped out. We are also passing services through ducts by the sides of roads, so people based in the area must ensure that they adopt new responsibilities in keeping the place clean and in good order,” he said.

The whole project is expected to yield 35,000 square metres of tarmac with four contractors – two in Mosta and two in Mriehel – dividing the workload.

In addition, the roads incorporate a rainwater management drain so as not to damage the road surface. A total of 16 roads are being worked on in both localities.