Mayor Jesmond Aquilina explained that through a parliamentary question made recently to Minister Jesmond Mugliett, the council had found out that the government was going to pull out of the agreement it was about to sign with the council regarding Lm75,000 worth of road works.

He emphasised that the council was only responsible for road surfacing and that the basic infrastructural work that was needed in these roads was outside its jurisdiction.

Mr Aquilina explained that the council had worked with the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) on a ‘model agreement’ through which the government had to give the council Lm75,000 worth of road works over three years.

The negotiations with the authority were at an advanced stage and the government had already committed itself to the project.

However in a recent parliamentary question the minister said that the agreement will not be signed, at least not for the time being.

The work relates to infrastructure works and surfacing of Kaccatur Road, Armal Road and Raghaj Road.

The council had already spent Lm25,000 from its own funds on Katerina Street and Zenza Alley, which also formed part of the work projected.

The council decided to start work on these roads in order to speed up the process.

“Not only have these funds never arrived but the government cut down on the Local Council’s allocation,” Mr Aquilina complained.

The council had even requested a meeting with the minister on 10 August but has not heard anything about it yet.