A quality product

It kicked off from Marsascala. When, in 1996, we decided that the drainage system in Marsascala had to be totally overhauled to cope with the development and growth that had taken place in the area, we also opted to go further and to create an embellished and enjoyable promenade.

Handling the drainage problem was a major challenge in its own right. A former Labour government had contented itself with extending the system in a haphazard manner with different pipes connecting like an unorganised matrix with each other. That apart, the system did not work.

Overhauling the system meant digging up the main road along the coast, creating a wide tunnel and passing new mains through the tunnel. Together with workers, foremen, contractors, technical officers and officials in charge of the project, I walked the stretch of difficult terrain over and over again until it was clear that the new system will be functioning properly.

The challenge was that much more acute for the simple fact that we were working on reclaimed land. Trenching meant that the seawater immediately poured back, as though attempting to claim back its own original reach. The only way a tunnel could be created in these conditions was by erecting hundreds of piles (or concrete pillars) adjacent to each other, pumping all the water that filters back out, and creating a new fortified structure that is much more likely to withstand the test of time than the original structure.

Even then this is only a part of the story, since the system required a new pumping station and ensuring that the supply of electricity to the area is upgraded to provide the necessary energy not only for the system but for the entire area. It was a case of tackling the different infrastructural components, one after another, until the entire village had all the supply lines that are often enough taken for granted and only noticed when they develop one fault or another. The present administration had also seen to providing the same area with an adequate water and telephone supply.

Be that as it may, we did not content ourselves with doing works of infrastructure and simply reinstating the surface to what it looked like before. This was a unique opportunity for us to embellish the promenade, surface the main roads with tarmac, add lampposts, create a public recreational area and to see to other environmental requirements. The present government spent Lm2 million on these works.

Other embellishment projects then followed. The 1996-98 Labour government decided to do Bugibba up, and by and large, they did a good job. Labour spokespersons make sure that we still hear of this project even today, and the present government carried on with works that were still pending apart from now seeing to further embellish those areas where this was necessary.

Similarly, we have carried on with most of the works that were still required in Marsaxlokk, Marsascala and Birzebbuga.

Apart from the original Marsascala works, another Lm8 million have been invested. This is money well spent. It is meant to provide persons living in these areas with a better quality of life, a more refined product to co-own, and a more attractive package to enjoy with visitors who come over from other towns and villages to frequent such areas, apart from the thousands of tourists who visit us and share with us the joys of embellishment works well carried out.

Such works are never easy and they entail considerable sacrifice to the persons living in the vicinity. Over the past weeks I had occasion to pay informal visits to works being carried out in St Julian's. A wide fan-like balcony has been created over St Julian's pitch and workers at our "garage" are busy constructing a metal kiosk that will fit on this area.

In St Julian's we could not construct the balconies on top of beams jutting out of the street because of the numerous services passing through the area. Instead we had to build new structures from sea level. In the process a platform has been added at that level which will mean much more open space for bathers to enjoy the sea. In a couple of weeks new lampposts will be installed, overlooking the sea.

The whole idea is to eventually provide one promenade with a continuity of a pleasant design that stretches from Spinola to Fortizza. More works will need to be carried out to link the area overlooking Neptunes pitch up to Barracuda as of next October.

In the meantime, together with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, we are providing the coastal road with a new black topping. When the present government opts to tarmac an area, it does not merely place a topping on anything formerly existing, but actually lays, where necessary, new water mains, new drainage connections, as well as new culverts for telephone lines and cable television links, before adding different layers of tarmac that ensure that the newly formed road does not only look right but functions as it should do for the years ahead.

Last week I went to Swieqi where, with the input of the same ministry, similar works are being carried out. The end result will mean that run-off water drains properly. Since works are still in progress, one can appreciate the different layers of service ducts that have been provided and that can be inspected since one can still see through a cross section of the different layers provided.

Drainage mains have been laid out at the lowest level. Above them four separate pipes to receive telephone and cable television lines. There is a culvert for all the electricity cables as well as provision for the water mains. And all have to be kept separate. The contractor on site remarked that the only other place in Malta where such a thorough exercise is being carried out is Mdina where all utilities are moving underground to ensure that our ancient city is cleaned up of kilometres upon kilometres of overhanging wires that do not do any justice to the medieval and baroque architecture of the city.

The truth of the matter is that all such works come at a price. Not only the one paid by Government to embellish one area or another, but also that paid by residents and business concerns until the works are completed.

Last week, in St Julian's, bus drivers kindly accepted to temporarily make use of an alternative route while the road along the promenade is receiving its black topping.

I understand the difficulties faced by different commercial operators and not least by residents while works would be still in progress, and we try our best to provide temporary remedies as far as humanly possible. We are more often than not working against rigid time-tables, programme implementation scales and occasional surprises such as when we run into unorthodox levels, new planning considerations, odd drain connections that should have never been on site, and "occupation" rights of different sorts that establish themselves on public areas from time to time!

In all these embellishment programmes, we try our best to finish works by the first week of July so as not to have such areas looking like building sites at the height of our tourist season.

To all those who make all such works possible, we owe our gratitude. My own experience of the Works Ministry over the past years has brought me in contact with periti, engineers and foremen who go well beyond the call of duty to ensure that the works are not only carried out well but also on time as required. I have learnt to be able to count on the dedication, expertise and motivation of those who go about their jobs with zeal and professionalism.

Equally I have learnt to appreciate the creative and the innovative skills of personnel who know how to face challenges and are able to convert them into opportunities.

Work conditions by definition are not easy. You can add new systems that facilitate part of the work, and you add all the health and safety tools that have become crucial. But you cannot eliminate other factors, not least the sweltering heat of the summer sun, as the various works are brought to their finishing touches.

When works are ready, as with the Sliema promenade, the persons who contributed with their own sacrifices while works were proceeding, are among the first to show their appreciation. Workers who, in turn, would have contributed their toil and skills to make it happen experience the satisfaction of having been the persons who brought the project to fruition.

From St Julian's to Mdina, from Sliema to Floriana, from Marsascala to Cottonera, from Valletta to Safi - there is a growing imprint of works well carried out providing our country with a quality product as it deserves. My gratitude to all concerned.