The roads financed by the Italian Protocol cost nearly Lm9 million more than originally estimated, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said yesterday during a press conference.

The Labour Party demands a clear and detailed explanation of why the final cost exploded to almost 85 per cent more than the original estimate, said Dr Sant.

During the press conference, he explained that the construction of the roads financed by the Italian Protocol was split into three lots.

In May 2005, Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett said in parliament that the available amount for the work was a total of Lm13 million (e30 million).

Furthermore, pointed out Dr Sant, Minister Mugliett made it clear that no more funds would be required for the roads under the Italian Protocol. A month later Mr Mugliett gave detailed information in parliament about how the financing was split lot by lot, he said.

The total cost amounted to Lm10.5 million: Lot 1 would cost Lm3.9 million, Lot 2 would cost Lm3.1 million and Lot 3 would cost Lm3.5 million, added Dr Sant.

In November 2006, 14 months after the Italian Protocol roads were inaugurated, Mr Mugliett was requested to give details about the total cost of the roads, said Dr Sant.

Mr Mugliett replied that total cost went up to Lm19.4 million – Lot 1 cost Lm7.8 million, Lot 2 cost Lm4.9 million and Lot 3 cost Lm6.7 million.

Dr Sant pointed out that this meant that the roads funded by the Italian Protocol cost an extra Lm8.9 million.

The Opposition Leader added that during the inauguration ceremony of the roads, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had said that the roads are a model of the government’s projects and will last for at least 25 years.

However, these statements do not conform to reality, said Dr Sant.

“These roads cost almost Lm9 million more than originally estimated and this is certainly not a model of how the government should work,” he said.

Furthermore, several of the roads have already sustained considerable damage, to the extent that parts had to be redone completely, he added.

Dr Sant said the Labour Party will call for an investigation on the cost of works carried out on the Xemxija bypass, roads in Gozo and the quays in Cirkewwa and Mgarr.