UPDATED 7.45 p.m. - Work resumed and was practically completed today on a Marsascala Street where a resurfacing project was abandoned after the road was dug up, denying the residents the use of their garages for some four weeks.
The issue was raised in a press statement by the residents yesterday morning, and the workers were back on site this morning, 24 hours later.
"Residents are pleased to inform that workers and construction machinery of Polidano Bros. Ltd are back on site this morning... Now we just hope that the project is completed within a reasonable time frame and of satisfactory quality level," the residents of Gandoffli Street said this morning.
"This also proves the fact that we live in a proper democracy where Maltese citizens have the power of the media to bring to light any perceived injustices," they added.
One frustrated resident, Oliver Scicluna, yesterday said the much awaited roadworks on Gandoffli Street started some seven weeks ago but the contractor abandoned the excavated road three weeks later.
When contacted, Transport Malta said the contractor has been carrying out construction work sporadically on Gandoffli Street for the past seven weeks.
The authority confirmed that the contractor had been expected to complete the job within four weeks. It had instructed the contractor to complete the works within the stipulated time and warned him it would not be extending the permit beyond April 4.
Moreover, even if the work is completed by April 4, the contractor will still be liable for any penalties falling under the contract of work as well as under legal notice 29/10 covering roadworks, it said.
The contractor has already had €1,000 deducted from his bank guarantee for carrying out works without a permit. He will also be expected to reimburse TM for the emergency interventions which it had to make through on-call contractors.
CONTRACTOR'S REACTION
In a reaction this evening, contractor Polidano Brothers said:
"The facts are the following:
1. Works commenced on site in February 2012.
2. On the 1st March 2012, Polidano Brothers Ltd had requested clearance from Enemalta (through Transport Malta) regarding the final levels of Enemalta Cables.
3. Transport Malta informed Polidano Brothers Ltd that the Enemalta issue had been resolved on the 23rd March 2012 (22 days after the issue had been raised by Polidano Brothers Ltd).
4. Works resumed on site on the 28th March 2012 (5 days after the notification by the authorities) and were completed within the day.
Whilst appreciating the residents' frustration at the bureaucratic situation, Polidano Brothers Ltd confirms its commitment to deliver to the best of its abilities."