Palace project launched

The Palace in Valletta will eventually be dedicated solely for the President and all other offices currently operating from the building will be moved elsewhere.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told a news conference this morning that the Palace would be restored to its original glory and alternative sites were to start being sought for operations not related to the President, including the Attorney General’s office, the Community Chest Fund and Parliament. The armoury would also be moved to its original site.

The ground floor, Dr Gonzi said, would be converted into a special exhibition area for unique historic items.

He said that a plan for the restoration of the Palace was to start being drawn up and Judge Giovanni Bonello was being nominated as superintendent of the project.

Judge Bonello would be able to choose his own co-workers and specific legislation would be drawn up for specific projects in Valletta.

Dr Gonzi said that although there was no timeline for this project, the entrance to the city would be ready by the end of this legislature and this whole project would be a specific economic investment for the country.

Photo shows Dr Gonzi addressing the news conference with Judge Bonello on his left. Photographer : Jeremy Wonnacott, DOI