PM urges government, local councils to team up

In a tour of Valletta, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi welcomed the initiatives taken to enhance the capital city over the past three years including the Lm3 million invested in various projects.

In recent months, several restoration projects were carried out and roads were built in a concerted drive to improve the localities around the island, Dr Gonzi said. This was why the government and local councils should team up as one when delivering projects.

But Dr Gonzi said it was a pity that certain councils were not seizing the opportunities offered by the government to improve their locality. This did not apply to the Valletta council with which there was "full synergy and cooperation".

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said that 600 square kilometres of pavements and 12,000 square metres of roads were constructed over the past three months. Half of Valletta's budget goes towards cleaning the city.

The Hastings Gardens and the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens projects cost the council Lm800,000.

Dr Borg Olivier said the council worked hand in hand with the government to install 25 lifts in apartments in the city, while over 120 balconies were restored thanks to schemes.