Massive excavation work on a site in Luqa in preparation for a controversial extension to St Vincent de Paul have continued unabated despite the discovery of various archaeological and historic remains.

Sources close to the work Times of Malta that instead of stopping the work, as was usually done in such circumstances, the excavations continued with a few workers ordered to sweep the “sensitive parts of the site” while hydraulic heavy machinery carried out excavations around the contentious areas.

Asked repeatedly to confirm that archaeological remains have been found during the ongoing excavations and to state what measures he had taken to protect the area, the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, Joseph Magro Conti did not reply to questions.

Mr Magro Conti was also asked to explain why he did not order a halt to the ongoing work until clarifications were obtained from the developers.

When contacted over the unanswered questions earlier this week, Mr Magro Conti said that he would reply to them later in the day as he was at a meeting.

There was no response, however, by the time of writing.

Workers sweeping the sensitive area where archaeological remains were found.

The green light for the permit regarding these excavations was given by the Planning Authority a few weeks ago in order to expedite the multi-million project to be built for the government by James Caterers and a subsidiary of the db Group.

In exchange, the private companies are to receive a €273 million public contract to manage the facility for a number of years.

Meanwhile, the PA is still screening the second part of the permit, the construction of the actual 500-bed extension on public property adjacent to the old people’s residence facility.

When granting the excavation permit, the PA ignored the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, so much so that Mr Magro Conti’s office protested.

“Despite its explicit recommendation, the Superintendence has not received any direct communication from the architect on this application,” the office said in a letter to the PA after it approved the permit.

“The Superintendence notes that the application was approved without re-consultation and with certain issues still pending,” the Superintendent’s office said.

According to the cultural heritage watchdog, the area where the excavations are being carried out is considered to be of archaeological sensitivity and any ground disturbance work, including removal of tiles, clearing of debris, excavation and the passage of services, had to be monitored by an archaeologist and a method statement was to be put in place.

The project itself is shrouded by controversy as a tender at first intended for the provision of food and the building of a new kitchen at the facility was morphed into a 500-bed extension of St Vincent de Paul.

Originally estimated at €60 million, the tender’s value has been more than quadrupled and will now see James Caterers and the db Group subsidiary receive €273 million in taxpayer funds.

The National Audit Office has been called upon by the Democratic Party to investigate the tender claiming that the government did not follow EU procurement rules.

The Nationalist Party has also joined the request.

ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com