(Adds ministry's statement)

The Cirkewwa quay, on which temporary work was only just starting, had cost the taxpayer €18.4 million by 2007, the Labour Party’s spokesman for Infrastructure said.

Charles Buhagiar said in a statement that replying to a parliamentary question last month, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the project was expected to cost €18.6 million.

In October, Dr Gatt had said that the quay had to be completed by 2012. But last January he said that the finishing date depended on when the contract was awarded.

This quay, Mr Buhagiar said, had been promised in the Nationalist Party’s electoral programmes of the last three general election.

Five completion dates have been given – 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012.

This quay, the PL spokesman said, was of utmost importance to Gozo and the inconvenience the delay was creation was leading to problems for those who wanted to cross between the two islands.

The PL asked the government to clearly say how much the project was going to cost, including the expenses which have already been carried out, and give a precise date of completion.

MINISTRY'S REACTION

In a statement, the ministry said that the work on the Cirkewwa quays wasconcluded in 2004, The quays had cost €18.6 million. The Mgarr terminal had cost another €11.8 million.

The minister said the work which was now being undertaken was for the eventual building of a new terminal, which was to cost €12 million.

The ministry said that work on the reallocation of the new public transport facilities started this week. This work included a bus terminus which would include a shelter, a police station, offices and public toilets.

This work on temporary facilities would enable the existing building to be demolished.

Other phases of the project should be completed later this year. These should include the building and development of a terminal, a police station, public spaces and improved access. This work should be concluded in 2012.