Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said today that structural repair works at Binja Buqana in Mtarfa will start in the coming weeks.

Works will start at basement level and, once these are completed, engineers will check each and every affected apartment and make sure that the building is safe.

A private company, ARUP, commissioned by the government had found that parts of the structure were weak. A seperate inquiry has concluded the same. In some of the apartments parts of the concrete ceiling had broken off and emergency repair works were carried out last year. Similar emergency works will be carried out next week, before the main works commence, Dr Farrugia said. The buildings were developed by the Housing Authority between 1994 and 1996. 

In ARUP's report, he said, evidence of incompetance, irresponsible conduct, use of inferior material not in line with the tender documents and a lack of professional surveillance was found.

The Minister said a tender for engineers would be issued. The inquiry reports have been sent to the Attorney General, who will decide whether action would be taken against the architect responsible. The government wanted to publish the report, he said, but residents did not want the whole report to be published. The reason is that it could affect the value of the building. Government, he said, wants to remove the dark shadow that has been cast on this area.

Dr Farrugia said the works would cost an estimated €3 million. He said the government would not be held civilly responsible, seeing that the building was constructed several years ago, but the government wanted to ensure the safety of the residents.