Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said this evening that the government is planning a public-private partnership which would see public conveniences throughout Malta given a facelift.

Dr Zammit Lewis said the current standards at public latrines – some of which are run by Local Council while others are run by the central government - is unacceptable. An upgrade would also be beneficial to the tourism sector.

The Tourism Minister said Local Councils will be consulted. A call for expression of interests will be issued before a model of management was decided.

The first phase will be a pilot project in the central part of Malta. Charges will be kept as low as possible or waived if there were other activities.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said earlier that the PPP would not be similar to that run by the Valletta Local Council. In Valletta people were being charged to use the public latrine but the government was footing the energy bill. The government has now started billing the contractor for the rent.

Replying to a supplementary question by PL MP Anthony Agius Decelis, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said the government was looking at ways to improve the facilities for divers. Mr Agius Decelis had asked if the government would introduce changing rooms in areas popular with divers and whether these could be incorporated with public conveniences.