Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he cannot be satisfied with the current traffic situation in the country.

Answering questions from the media today, Abela said that on 3 October, which he described as the worst day for traffic, there had been almost 30 traffic incidents.

“There are a number of infrastructural projects which are essential to continue to improve the country’s infrastructure, but I believe that there could have been better measures for traffic management,” Abela said.

Abela also pointed out that when there is a minor injury in a traffic accident, authorities should not wait for instructions by the hospital to move the vehicles on site.

He said that there have been incidents where it took over an hour and 45 minutes to move the vehicles, which caused a major blockage in the main roads of the country.

“I have already given instructions to authorities to start discussing measures for traffic control, everyone should take responsibility in these situations and take necessary decisions,” he said.

Abela said that the traffic situation in recent days has improved, but not enough. He said that more can be done for the situation to improve.

Asked about delayed road works, particularly Triq il-Kbira in Mosta, which was scheduled to be completed in summer but has failed to meet that deadline, Abela said that he has given instructions to Infrastructure Malta to push for all contractors to finish their projects as soon as possible.

Asked about a proposed legal reform to stop delaying tactics by people accused of a crime, the PM said there is an agreement with the Opposition for the matter to go through parliamentary procedures with urgency. He said he expects the bill to be passed unanimously.

He said that with this bill, the government is sending a message that it is not going to let anyone try to evade justice and adopt delaying tactics.

Asked whether he was going to personally attend Daphne Caruana Galizia's memorial events, Abela said that the respect he has shown since 2020 towards her family is the best way he can commemorate her memory, together with his emphasis for justice to happen.

With regard to the scandal of the Marsa Flyover, where evidence of potential corruption in a €40 million contract attracted he attention of EU anti-fraud prosecutors, he confirmed once again that all the information that he is aware of is coming from what he reads in the media. Additionally he said that if there really is an ongoing investigation the European Public Prosecutor's office is doing its investigation in secrecy, thus if he were to interfere it would be abusive to comment on the investigation without being informed.

He added that he is not aware also if locally there has been a criminal complaint with the local police, as up until now there is only a media reportage about the case.

Asked whether he was going to meet with press freedom organisations that are currently present in Malta, the PM said that he was about to make his way to Berlin as he has work on an international level to attend to.