Slums in Msida have been demolished to make way for an extensive housing project, of which 97 residential units, two garages, a sub station, 22 shops and four offices have until now been built, with the aim of improving the residents’ quality of life and raising the location’s profile.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, accompanied by Family and Social Solidarity Minster Dolores Cristina and Housing Authority chairman Marisa Micallef, yesterday visited the site known as l-Ghajn tal-Hasselin and explained that some families have already been relocated to new apartments in Conception Street.

Standing in a well-lit airy room of one of the new apartments, Dr Gonzi explained that this project, which is one of the most complicated the Housing Authority has undertaken, addresses the sector of society that needs most help.

The five phases of the project, that include 194 units, are to be completed by 2010, said the prime minister, adding that around Lm4 million were spent on this housing project. The phases of the project were necessary since families who were living in the old buildings had to be temporarily relocated until the new blocks were completed, he said, noting that the families who have been moved to the new buildings have expressed their satisfaction.

Minister Cristina said the project is a perfect example of urban regeneration – that is land being given a new use and a fresh lease of life. “The area was one of the most dilapidated and sub standard areas in Malta, the flooding of the road after every rainfall also added to the degradation,” she pointed out.

Dr Gonzi also mentioned the flooding problem in the area and explained that over the last 15 years, the Nationalist government has had to remedy a mistake made by the Malta Labour Party, which resulted in more water actually flowing into the area.

He said the tender for the construction of a higher road, to aid flood relief, is due to be awarded once an appeal by one of the tenderers is decided.

This will be a vital step for the location, since the previous buildings were plagued by the problems the extreme flooding caused.

Prime Minister Gonzi explained that over the last years, the government has invested Lm6 million in the construction of housing units and 1,700 families have benefited from the rent subsidies schemes offered.