Bugibba is facing a second summer of chaos as a project to rehabilitate the locality's main square appears to have no end in sight. Ongoing construction works, which began in April last year, have significantly disrupted daily life, raising serious concerns about safety, communication, and the future of the locality as a tourist hub.

Residents and shop owners told The Malta Independent on Sunday that the situation has steadily worsened over the past year. They explained that they were given little to no warning before the project commenced. According to those affected, a representative from Infrastructure Malta informed them only a few days in advance that works would begin. This lack of preparation left many scrambling to adjust their lives and businesses with virtually no time to plan.

The project was expected to be completed by May of this year but, a month before the deadline, it seems unlikely that this will happen, one businessman told this newspaper. Both entrepreneurs and residents will likely endure the disruption for much longer than that, impacting another summer when the locality is supposedly at its peak as a summer resort.

Shop owners report a significant decline in customers, with some struggling to remain open. Employees have also been affected, with reduced working hours becoming increasingly common. One worker from a shop along Dawret il-Gżejjer explained that she has gone from working full-time to just 15 hours a week due to the lack of customers visiting the area. For many, this reduction in income has created financial instability and anxiety about the future.

Tourism, once a key strength of Bugibba, has also taken a hit. People who spoke to this newspaper said visitors have expressed frustration at the condition of the area, stating that it no longer offers an enjoyable and safe experience. Many tourists feel unable to fully appreciate the beauty of the bay, as they must constantly navigate construction hazards such as uneven pavements, open holes, and debris scattered along the streets.

Health and safety concerns remain one of the most pressing issues for residents. Pavements are reportedly littered with concrete blocks, potholes, and poorly-covered openings that pose a serious risk of injury. In some cases, protective barriers are either insufficient or entirely absent. Vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly residents, have been disproportionately affected, with some stating they are effectively confined to their homes because it is too dangerous to walk outside.

Residents also attempted to raise their concerns with the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), but were left disappointed after being informed that the authority could not intervene in a project managed by Infrastructure Malta. This has contributed to a growing sense of helplessness among those living in the area, who feel they have nowhere to turn for support.

The situation reached a critical point in March, when access to the pavement was completely restricted for three weeks. During this time, residents were practically unable to leave their homes, and businesses were forced to close entirely. This resulted in significant financial losses for shop owners and left employees without wages for that period, they said.

Further frustrations stem from ongoing disruptions to essential services. Residents reported that their water supply had been cut off four times in recent weeks, alongside multiple electricity outages. These interruptions have made daily life increasingly difficult and have added to the overall stress experienced by the community.

Despite these challenges, residents emphasise that their frustration is not with the project itself, but rather with how it is being executed. A consistent complaint is the lack of communication from authorities. Many feel they have been left in the dark about timelines, progress, and what to expect moving forward. This has been compounded by observations that there are often few workers on site, with some residents noting that work appears to end early in the day.

Some residents drew comparisons to a similar redevelopment project carried out in 1997 under a Labour administration, which took only four months to complete. In contrast, the current works have already exceeded a year with limited visible progress, prompting questions about efficiency and management.

There have also been individual cases highlighting the extent of the disruption. One resident reported having to file a safety complaint after two large concrete blocks were placed directly in front of their shop entrance, making access impossible. Others described streets left covered in dust, dirt, and rubbish due to disrupted waste collection services, as refuse trucks are unable to access certain areas because of road closures.

Efforts to obtain clarity from authorities have so far been unsuccessful. Questions sent to Infrastructure Malta and the Transport Ministry have not been answered. An attempt to speak with personnel on site resulted in being redirected to customer support services.