Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit told a news conference yesterday that paving the pedestrian areas of St John, St Lucy and Merchants’ streets would cost around Lm750,000.

All three were dug up months ago but as a result of botched tender, their paving stones have only arrived now. Traders in the area are not amused.

Mr Zammit said the pedestrian zone in the area around Merchants’ Street covers 7,200 square metres, which is double that of Republic Street. The aim now is for the area to be completely paved before the Christmas festivities.

The work could only start in October due to contractors who failed to satisfy the specifications laid out in the tender. It was then up to the government to take the measures necessary to import the material suitable for the paving, the minister added.

The work started last week in St Lucy Street and will become more intensive in Merchants Street and St John Street next week

After Merchants Street was completely dug up, the necessary services were installed and a concrete bed was laid as basis for the pavement.

Mr Zammit said that restoration works in the Monte Di Pieta façade were now ready and the scaffolding was being removed to shift to the restoration of the Banca Giuratale facade, today known as the Public Registry.

Other reconstruction works in the pipeline include the restoration of the National Library façade and restoration works on one of the sides of St John’s Co-Cathedral. These projects are all being carried out by Government workers.