Jason Micallef, the Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency, said he was not consulted on the construction of the Vision 2050 structures in Triton Square, just outside the capital city.
The construction is obstructing normal entry and exit in and out of Valletta, with people passing through the area being forced to zigzag their way through a makeshift passage. One of the structures is directly in between the Triton Fountain and Valletta's City Gate.
When asked about his opinion on the large structures, and whether he, as VCA chairman, is bothered by the fact that the major entrance into Valletta is being heavily obstructed - visibly and spatially - Micallef responded that he was not consulted about these works beforehand. He added that he found out about what was going on in Triton Square through the local media.
"All I can say is that I was not consulted on it, and I naturally found out about it thanks to local media," VCA chairman Micallef said.
Large parts of this busy square have been cordoned off till near the end of the month, when the government officially launches its Vision 2050. Vision 2050 is the country's long-term strategy for the next 25 years - till 2050.
On Friday afternoon, the Valletta Cultural Agency launched its cultural programme for 2026. This entire programme is to be worth a total sum of €4.5 million; it includes notable activities such as the second edition of the Malta Biennale and the annual "Christmas in the Capital" festivities.
During this same event, the Valletta Cultural Agency published the results of two surveys carried out with statistician Vincent Marmara on footfall and business performance during this past Christmas period, in December 2025.
The government has allocated a total sum of €4.5 million towards the Vision 2050 project, though did not disclose the cost of formerly blue, now shiny silver block that has been erected at the bottom of Triton Square, according to Newsbook Malta. This particular structure will serve as an immersive experience that will exhibit Malta's Vision 2050 inside it.
Jason Micallef, who also heads the unit managing the Ta' Qali National Park, was also asked whether he regrets gravelling the Ta' Qali picnic area. Micallef refused to comment on Ta' Qali, as he wanted to keep focus on Valletta - the subject for the event. Back in November 2025, Micallef had said that the grass will grow back, through the gravel laid over the area. Nearing the end of February 2026, the picnic area remains dominated by gravel with no visible sign that grass will re-appear after rainfall in recent months. This gravelling was carried out last September on a direct order worth over €300,000 in public funds.
The Nationalist Party has reiterated that this gravelling was "illegal," while Partit Momentum found, through the hiring of an expert, that the gravel laid has rendered the soil underneath unsuitable for natural vegetation.