The government has announced a €24 million EU-Funded project to regenerate the lower part of Valletta.

Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Parliamentary Secretary Aaron Farrugia held a joint press conference this morning, when it was revealed that the project would stretch from Fort St Elmo to the fortification centre.

The funds financing the project come from the EU Regional Development Fund (RDF) 2014-2020. The minister confirmed that this would mean that the project would have to be completed by 2020.

This was reiterated by Farrugia, who said that he believed that a government should accomplish everything it promised within its electoral manifesto by the end of the legislature.

The project is expected to include the refurbishment and introducing of an improved infrastructure, architecture, social housing, open spaces, commercial centre, promenade and the waterpolo pitch.

When asked by The Malta Independent, Mizzi said that social housing will be an integral part of the project which will combat the negative effects of gentrification and will see the regeneration of  government-owned buildings, 

It was important, he said, that the residents participate in the project.

A committee that will identify projects for the initiative will be headed by Permanent Secretary Paul Zahra, and will also involve individuals from the Valletta local council, the V-18 foundation and the Planning Authority.

Photos Michael Camilleri

Sliema – Vittoriosa Tunnel

The minister also took time to mention that the concession for the proposed communication link between Vittoriosa and Sliema, in the form of a tunnel beneath Valletta, will be announced in the coming weeks.

He said that the project is expected to be 800m long, and will used long and narrow ferry boats to transport passengers between the three localities.

The tunnel will be seven metres wide, seven metres above the seabed, and 4 metres below the fortifications.