It was a short stopover disrupted by a heavy downpour for Joseph Muscat this morning in Cospicua where he promised a conclusion of the Dock One project.

Dr Muscat said the project, which has been dogged by delays, will be "one of the first" to be concluded by a Labour government.

He noted that the regeneration of the area had to be concluded by February last year at a cost of €3.8 milllion but this was extended to July this year when the foreign contractor was stopped.

Reacting to what Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told supporters yesterday in Cospicua that the project will be finished by March, Dr Muscat said the Government had lost all credibility with the first plans appearing back in 1995.

"The Government has always reacted after Labour spoke. The last time we came down here to protest against the sorry state of affairs, the Government stopped the contractor," Dr Muscat added.

He said Labour was committed to finish the project in the shortest timeframe possible but did not give a deadline.

The area is currently a construction site with the main road having been temporarily resurfaced after numerous complaints by residents and the local commercial community.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com