An old, heavy generator ended up in the sea at Marsalforn last week during a heated argument that broke out over infrastructural works going on in part of the bay.

According to eyewitnesses, the generator used by the contractor was making so much noise during lunchtime that an owner of one of the restaurants lining the buildings opposite Il-Menqa could take it no longer.

In plain view of tourists and local holiday makers, he tried to move the generator away from his restaurant.

“Somehow, the generator ended up in the sea, with a massive argument flaring up between the restaurateur and the contractor. Even the police had to intervene,” a diner who saw the incident said.

The works, mainly EU-funded, are being carried out by the Gozo Ministry to refurbish the infrastructure used by fishermen.

No sooner than things were picking up, the government started this project, bang in the middle of our best season

Last October, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo had announced that the works were due to start in the following weeks. This would have been the tourism shoulder months.

However, it appears the project was delayed and is now being done during the peak tourist season because it must be finished by the end of the year – otherwise, the EU funds may be lost.

Restaurant owners and tourism operators in the area are infuriated by the presence of heavy machinery, workers, loud noise and dust, which is causing business to grind to a halt.

“We can’t cope with what is going on,” the owner of an Italian restaurant said.

“We had already experienced a very bad start to the year this winter and we were hoping to make up for it in summer.

“However, no sooner than things were picking up, the government started this project, bang in the middle of our best season.

“This is really crazy,” he complained, adding that diners no longer wanted to come to their restaurants.

The restaurateurs have made representations to the ministry, suggesting that works should at least stop at lunchtime so customers can be served in peace and quiet.

“They would have none of it as they are saying they might lose EU funds,” another restaurant owner said.

Questions sent to the Gozo Ministry remained unanswered at the time of writing.

Sources said the ministry has turned down requests to com­pensate restaurant owners for the loss of business. It has, however, appointed a coordinator to try and see to it that problems are addressed as soon as they crop up.

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