The more than 200 square metres of land where the SmartCity project is planned to be built in Ricasoli is presently a dilapidated stretch of land which is home to drug addicts and a favourite site for illegal dumpers.

Mounds of rubbish and even used syringes can be seen in the area.

The discussion of a motion to transfer government land to Tecom Investors, the company which will be investing to turn this dilapidated area into a state-of-the-art centre of excellence in the Information Technology industry, will begin on Tuesday.

The motion will be discussed by the National Audit Committee and if the members unanimously vote in its favour, the motion will not be discussed in the House of Representatives.

Over the past few months, the government has relocated 21 factories which operated from the Ricasoli industrial estate. These have been moved to other industrial parks including those in Hal Far and Bulebel.