The Minister for Housing and Lands, Owen Bonnici said Monday that beautification works for 11 social housing blocks in Ta' Xbiex, costing €762,021, which began last February, are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Bonnici said that this entire project will benefit a total of 91 families.

During a site visit, Bonnici said that this project demonstrates the government's commitment to improving quality of life for housing estate residents and to maintaining a good condition for these residential buildings.

He said that these works not only add to the locality's aesthetic side but also contribute to a safer and more sustainable environment for the families living in these apartments.

Through a dedicated beautification and maintenance programme, extensive works are being carried out on the building façades, roofs, and common areas. It is hoped that by the end of these works, residents' quality of life is improved through the buildings' improved condition, a statement said.

Among the works being undertaken in these Ta' Xbiex apartment buildings are the removal and cleaning of stonework on the façades, the opening of wires and plastering, repairing the concrete on balconies, painting and plastering, as well as the installation of vent covers.

General cleaning, the application of liquid membrane, plastering and painting external eaves and stairwells, the organisation of water tanks and pipes, and the removal of asbestos where necessary is all being carried out on the buildings' roofs.

In addition, the social housing common areas will have their internal walls and ceilings plastered and painted over, the stair railings will also be painted, lighting systems will be repaired or simply improved, new intercoms will be installed where necessary, aluminium meter cupboards will be swapped in place of wooden ones, works will be done on floor tiles and marble, and the common apertures will also be replaced.

Alongside Housing Minister Bonnici, his Permanent Secretary Ramon Deguara, the Chief Executive of Housing Projects Solutions Marisa Marmara, the Housing Authority's Chairman Robert Ducker, and the Executive Secretary to the Ta' Xbiex Local Council, Simeon Nechev, were all present for this site visit.