Works on the gardens in the Mdina ditch are continuing even though the project was ‘inaugurated’ three days before election.

Publicly launched on March 6 in an official ceremony, the two-year project transformed the ditch – parts of which had been inaccessible to the public for many years – into a garden.

Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and then Resources Minister George Pullicino had inaugurated the €6.2 million EU project in an event which included a light display on the bastion walls.

However, readers pointed out that patches of the garden were not yet ready and workers were still working on the paving. Photos taken by The Sunday Times reveal incomplete areas.

When contacted, Mr Pullicino denied that the date of the inauguration had been brought forward because of the election campaign. “The date had been established a long time ago,” he said.

He also insisted that the project had been completed and not rushed. “Part of the paving was not up to the required specifications and the architect responsible for the project told the contractor to replace it,” Mr Pullicino said.

Mr Pullicino pointed out this was “not the first time” that alterations were made because they were not up to specifications or requirements. “Three years ago, after the garden at Qui-Si-Sana was launched, the contractor was ordered to change a few items.”

Mdina mayor Peter Sant Manduca said the project had had some “teething problems” but pointed out that the deadline had always been March. There might have been some delay in the first months of the year because of the bad weather, he said.

“We are very happy that it was done – it’s a great project for the area,” he said.

The project embellished approximately 8,000 square metres in a stretch from the Greek Gate, past the main gate and round the area below Vilhena Palace.

The old tennis court and football pitch will be relocated elsewhere. It also included the consolidation and restoration of the bastions under Vilhena Palace and St Paul’s bastion.

The project was also at the centre of controversy over the removal of some trees but the Government had always insisted none of the trees were lost but relocated to highlight the bastions’ dimensions.