A Labour government will set up an authority that will take care of the implementation and running of the Grand Harbour project, which is expected to be ready in 2020, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said yesterday morning.

Dr Sant visited two localities that are included in the MLP’s Grand Harbour project – Vittoriosa and Sliema, on the MLP campaign coach, il-coach tal-bidla.

Speaking in front of the Sliema ferries, Dr Sant said that a Labour government wants to regenerate the Grand Harbour and modernise the area with new commercial projects that will help create economic growth and boost it to four to six per cent a year.

He explained that an authority will be set up, and be responsible, for the Grand Harbour project.

“This will act as a one-stop shop and have the government’s backing,” he said.

When asked if the authority will have the same power as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Dr Sant said that it will have the power to fast-track certain plans – always in a transparent manner.

Making use of land reclamation in the various projects is also a possibility – especially in the widening of the Sliema promenade area, said the opposition leader.

The MLP is proposing 100 projects for the Grand Harbour area – with a deadline in 2020 – covering Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Senglea, Marsa, Floriana, Valletta, Pieta, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema.

Dr Sant said that the project aims to develop all the localities in a holistic and balanced way, making full use of resources that might have not been used to their full potential.