Water seepage has pushed back the public opening of the underground War Headquarters in Valletta. However, the authorities “are on the ball”, according to the foundation that looks after the complex of tunnels.

Earlier this week, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna warned that irrigation of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, situated right above the tunnels, was causing extensive damage to the complex from where the defence for the Battle of Malta was coordinated.

The tunnels were meant to have opened to the public last year. With restoration still under way, the foundation now hopes to hold the opening in the summer.

Yesterday, as the complex opened to the public for a one-off occasion, foundation chairman Mario Farrugia said: “The water seepage problem is holding us back from finishing the restoration project that has been going on since 2009, which would allow Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna to open the complex for the public.

“The foundation cannot put restored artefacts such as interpretation boards and projectors back in the tunnels. Some of the items cannot be put on display as they would be damaged by the percolating water and ensuing humidity,” he said.

This is meanwhile causing extensive damage to the tunnels

Asked when the issue might be resolved, he said both the foundation and the government were “on the ball”. The government, he added, had committed itself to resolving the issue.

“The water seepage has decreased but we are looking for a more permanent solution. The issue is not easy as the complex lies beneath gardens with plants that need to be irrigated, but this is meanwhile causing extensive damage to the tunnels.”

The damage has in fact been made worse by the humidity.

Since the complex is sound and gas proof, it has a system of forced ventilation, which was, however, damaged by the seeping water and needs to be overhauled.

The abandoned premises were passed on to the foundation seven years ago and it immediately kicked off a conservation project for the complex, which still hosts the ventilation and electricity systems dating from the British period.

The restoration work has so far cost €1.7 million, part-funded by European Regional Development Funds, but more funds are needed to finish the project.

* Log on to www.wirtartna.org to help fund the restoration.