Touring the work currently under way there, Minister Zammit praised the workers, most of whom are employed with the government, for their hard work and for working as part of a team which made it possible for the project to be completed on time. Work on the project began in October last year and cost the government around Lm1 million.

Mr Zammit said the project, which was divided into three phases, has finally reached completion stage. The last layer of asphalt will be laid later on this week. In fact, all access roads to Paceville will be closed between Tuesday 15 June at 7am and Thursday 17 June at midday.

It is a pity that only Maltacom cables and those used for the project’s street-lighting have been passed under the pavement. This meant, and Mr Zammit confirmed it, that if a fault developed, the road will have to be dug up and then patched.

When The Malta Independent pointed this out, officials accompanying Mr Zammit on the visit shook their heads and also passed certain comments, implying that the newspaper had some ulterior motives for questioning why services were not placed under the pavement, which makes it easier and less expensive to repair faults. The explanation given was that “all precautions have been taken”.

A fountain is being constructed near Maltacom offices in Paceville and, close by, a bring-in site with underground skips is also being planned. Public conveniences also form part of this project. Two have been built – one is for the disabled.

Rather sarcastically, residents told The Malta Independent that workers started cleaning the site at 8am yesterday morning because of the minister’s visit and that the number of workers on site also increased thanks to this visit.