The government will soon appoint a team of inspectors to draw up a list of maintenance jobs to give the country a well-deserved facelift, The Times has learned.

A spokesman for the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry said the idea was to give higher priority to the odd maintenance jobs which would improve the overall look of the island.

The inspectors will draw up a list of upgrading works that need to be performed.

In those sites that fall under the government's jurisdiction, the job will be carried out by Works Division employees.

If the site falls under the control of a local council, the division will write to the council concerned, giving it a timeframe by when the work has to be carried out.

If the work is not done, Works Division employees will do the job and the council will be billed accordingly.

The inspectors will work hand in hand with the inspectors of the Malta Tourism Authority who do a similar job in tourism zones.

A free phone will eventually be introduced on which people can call and report maintenance work which they think need to be carried out.

Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said these odd jobs will considerably improve the environment and the people's standard of living.

The time was also ripe to carry out a restructuring exercise of the Works Division so that its resources are utilised more effectively, Mr Pullicino said.