The decision by the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry to invest in Lm250,000 worth of equipment for construction projects and public cleansing is an intelligent move that will surely get more out of the entity.

Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit has presided over a silent revolution within the Public Works Department that has transformed a lazy structure into an efficient body that is carrying out its duties.

We have seen numerous projects undertaken by this department but, unfortunately, our prejudice towards the ways of old means that they often do not get the credit they deserve.

The department has increasingly become efficient and modern, and produces work of a high standard, be it concerned with demolition, construction or maintenance. Mr Zammit has had to work hard to change the mindset of the workers within the department. Whatever he has done seems to have worked.

The change in mentality was clear to see when Mr Zammit went to the Public Cleansing Department’s new premises in Corradino last week, where he handed over a whole new fleet of vehicles. His visit coincided with the launch of a quality service charter and it was very clear to see that the workmen within this department were proud to serve.

They are proud to build new things and keep Malta clean – they have the equipment to do it and it is evident that they enjoy their job and they enjoy being under the leadership of Mr Zammit.

The minister was also extremely clear on one major issue – the machinery has been purchased so that the government workers will be able to undertake more jobs than they do at present.

This one-off investment, he said, will allow the department to undertake jobs that would normally be farmed out to contractors at a greater cost.

The government is tightening the belt of the taxpayer, but at least it is good to see such measures will also save money in the long run.

One hot topic which infuriates these employees, however, is that of illegal dumping. Mr Zammit said that up to October of this year, Lm400,000 had been spent on clearing up illegally dumped rubbish. He contends that this money could have been used to fund more projects – we wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, illegal dumpers still persist in their actions. We need more patrols, more enforcement and, perhaps most importantly, more help from the public in reporting cases to the authorities.

The workers were quick to show that they hate cleaning up after the dumpers, and who can blame them? As individuals, we get angry about it, let alone the people who have to clean it up at the expense of working on embellishment projects. We hope that more will be done to prevent dumping and punish the perpetrators.

Of course we, as tax-paying customers, are never going to be 100 per cent satisfied. There are always going to be complaints – and this is where we hope that the department will take constructive criticism on board.

With a quality service charter in place, the department is now duty-bound to address each and every complaint quickly and efficiently. Some will be frivolous, some will be pranks, but we are sure that most of them will be justified. Hopefully, the system will work well to satisfy both the customer and the department.