Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced an artificial intelligence project that will continue to improve the cleanliness and maintenance of the country while raising the quality of work of workers in the Cleaning and Maintenance Division.
Dr Abela announced this during a conference hosted by the same division, which marked the investment in more machinery totaling €17 million and also celebrated the achievements of workers who carry out important work every day in favour of maintaining cleanliness in the country.
While the Prime Minister was explained in more detail the different functions of the machinery that was inaugurated, he also met with the workers of the Cleaning and Maintenance Division where he expressed his appreciation for their work, particularly a day before Labour Day is celebrated.
Robert Abela also explained in more detail the project that the Government will be investing in for this division. This includes a drone system that will be able to identify waste from the air and thus speed up the cleaning process, particularly in areas that are rural and with accessibility challenges. “I am also pleased to note that among us are Maltese students within the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta, who developed this system. How proud we should be of the talent that our country offers”, explained the Prime Minister, noting the collaboration between the Division and the University.
Dr Abela praised the Clean Malta workers who had been working for thirty years with their working conditions the same and it was this government that within a few weeks after a meeting with the Prime Minister addressed their needs and improved their conditions. He said that these workers carry out invaluable work so that our country remains clean and beautiful. “It is not for nothing that they are workers who are proud of their work and we are also very proud of them because through their work they give strong value to the quality of life of our families”, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister concluded by stressing the importance of investments that not only improve the country but also prioritise the worker. “We have mentioned these important investments, but the fulcrum of everything remains our workers. Tomorrow we celebrate the Workers’ Day holiday which reminds us every year of the value of the worker. However, we should not wait for May Day to remember our workers. Our recognition of you must be seen and reflected in measures for you throughout the year”, concluded the Prime Minister, pointing to improvements in conditions and increases in workers’ wages with measures taken by the Government including tax reductions and the signing of collective agreements.
The same conference was addressed by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness, Glenn Bedingfield and the Director General of Clean Malta Ramon Deguara.
Minister Miriam Dalli said, “We have reason to be proud of the workers of CleanMalta. Malta is cleaner, it is more beautiful and people are seeing the results of the hard work of our workers. Cleanliness leads to a healthier environment, with stronger communities. The unprecedented investment being made in this sector is not only leading to more modern and sustainable equipment but is also helping to increase the skills of our workers. All of this is contributing to Malta remaining attractive for investment and for the Government to continue investing in people.”
Parliamentary Secretary Glenn Bedingfield explained how this is the starting point for having a more modern division and workers with new skills to do a better job and with less suffering. “Today we are building on the work of those who give their service every day with dedication and integrity. All the workers of the Cleaning and Maintenance Division are at the centre of our mission, they are the driving force behind every positive change we are seeing in our streets and public spaces, and they are also the ambassadors of a cleaner and more organised Malta. Yesterday shaped us, but today we are building towards Vision Malta 2050. We are laying the foundation for tomorrow. This is not just a conference; it is a celebration of your commitment and collective leadership towards a better future”, concluded Bedingfield.
Director General Ramon Deguara explained the advances made by the Division in recent years, while giving credit to the workers present. “To appreciate where we are today we must remember where we started and where we have come from. We have given dignity to the workers through uniforms and strengthened the corporate image of the Division. This is in addition to the multimillion-dollar investment that has been made to make the lives of the workers better”, stressed Deguara.
Photo: OPM/DOI
