Mosta Square to be embellished

Transport Minister Censu Galea yesterday announced that an agreement had been reached between Mosta council, his ministry, and the ministries for infrastructure and tourism for the embellishment of Mosta Square at a cost of Lm240,000.

He was speaking on a visit to Main Street, Mosta, where road works are being carried out in a joint initiative between the government and the council.

The government will be paying Lm75,000 of the total cost of the roadworks, which reach some Lm110,000, in instalments of Lm25,000 a year for three years starting from 2004.

Through an agreement that also involves the Malta Transport Authority, councils are being authorised to undertake works on roads which fall under the central government's responsibility.

Mr Galea said this opportunity had already been taken up by 15 councils, which were now in a position to carry out Lm75,000 worth of road works within their locality.

The government has so far allocated a fund of Lm500,000 for such works, allowing the MTA to enter into agreement with a maximum of 20 councils.

The works in Mosta include the resurfacing of Main Street and the installation of services by Maltacom, Water Services Corporation and Melita Cable, as well as drainage connections.

The MTA and the council are coordinating with these companies to ensure that the street will not have to be dug up again in the near future.

Mayor Giovanni de Martino said the water culvert of an alley in Main Street was extended to solve the problem of flooding after heavy downpours. This culvert leads to the valley.

Another culvert was also built from Dun Mikiel Xerri Road towards Mosta parish church. The water from this culvert is collected in a reservoir.

The works have also included the cleaning up and repairing of another culvert which was blocked by debris.

Mr Galea said the government was also considering building a large culvert in Independence Avenue for water catchment before this reached Main Street.

He said that extra cement was used to reinforce the road foundations and make them more durable.

He also announced that the government had issued new calls for tenders exceeding a value of Lm120,000 for further works in Mosta, to be undertaken in Walter Salamone, Gianni Vella, Giuseppe Hyzler, Aurora, Dun Anglu Dingli, 15th August and Notabile streets and in parts of College and Mgr Azzopardi streets.