The ongoing road works in a particular road in Gzira were highlighted in a protest this week, and shows just how much of a shambles the organisation of roadworks really is in.

Gzira mayor Conrad Borg Manche said that the works on a 250m stretch of road on Manoel de Vilhena street have been ongoing for fifteen months.

That’s fifteen months for a small road… There can be absolutely no excuse from the authorities for this. It is disgraceful, an insult to residents and utterly unacceptable. Responsibility for this disaster must be carried.

Not only that, but the street, in its current state, is filled with dust, and the mayor has highlighted the respiratory issues that this is causing residents. Who will be held responsible for the health issues that they face? Someone must. Will it be the contractors? Will it be the authorities? Who?

The Public Works Department said in a Facebook post: “One reminds that the Public Works Department had the responsibility for the paving part. These works were able to start on Triq Manoel De Vilhena after the contractor charged by Infrastructure Malta concluded the work he had at the end of last May.”

The Public Works Department also said that while many contractors are in a shutdown due to Santa Marija, works on the street continued. It said that this is happening as the contractor had to stop works for a bit as they found difficulties in bringing the required material for the project.

Well then working through a holiday is the least that could be done.

So we have the Public Works pointing the finger at Infrastructure Malta and its contractor. In the mean time, the contractor engaged by the Public Works Department didn’t have all the material ready to go.

The authorities should investigate this situation and find out the reason as to why the overall works have taken so long.

When it comes to roadworks in residential areas, strict time limits should be imposed to ensure that all works, regardless of whether different entities are involved, are concluded quickly. Leaving a road in this state is absolutely unacceptable. Get your act together.

Meanwhile the residents of the road are still stuck with ongoing works.

In the future, different authorities must work together to ensure speedy works on all roads. The residents of Gzira, and indeed of any locality, deserve far better than having to wait so long.