The minister, who was speaking during a visit to see the restoration work currently being carried out on the aquedot, said the lights will enhance its aesthetics by night. Details of the lighting scheme had not yet been finalised, he said, adding that the ministry is in talks with engineers who are assisting with the selection of an appropriate system.

Describing the structure as a monument to the engineering prowess of the Knights of St John, Mr Zammit explained that it was built to provide the capital city with a water supply, carrying water gathered in Rabat down to Valletta through underground canals and the two-kilometre arched aqueduct, which ran through some four towns.

He said that the restoration work currently being carried out is a joint effort between his ministry and the Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara and Santa Venera local councils, following an agreement that was signed early last month.

This finishing phase, estimated to cost some Lm140,000, follows structural work that was carried out some two years ago. Workers from the Restoration Unit, are restoring the structure using fuq il-fil (grouting between the stones) following the traditional stonework pattern and colouring. They are also removing nails, wood and pieces of metal that have been attached over the years and Maltacom and Enemalta have removed poles and cables that were attached or installed close to the aqueduct.

The work is now in its second week and 30 arches have already been restored. The project covers the entire 361 arches spanning over two kilometres.

Asked by The Malta Independent how long the restoration work will take, Mr Zammit said that the project had been scheduled to last 50 weeks but added that if the work continued at the same pace that had been achieved so far, he was confident that it will be finished earlier.