Direct investment of €12.8 million in projects in communities across Malta, through an agreement between the Department of Public Works and all Local Councils of Malta.
This investment, over a two-year period, will be leading to more infrastructural projects that address the concrete needs of our localities, including maintenance works, accessibility, public spaces and other interventions that improve the quality of life of residents.
This was announced during a press conference addressed by the Minister for Local Government and Public Works, Alison Zerafa Civelli, together with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Local Government and Public Works, Emil Vassallo, and the Director General of the Community Projects Division within the Department of Public Works, Architect Nadia Gatt, and which was attended by the Mayors and Executive Secretaries of all localities across Malta.
The new agreement will see an increase in investment, from €10 million to €12.8 million, over a two-year period, which will give more space to Local Councils to continue implementing projects that make a concrete difference in their communities, while continuing to strengthen collaboration between Local Councils and the Department of Public Works. This increase in investment is also one of the electoral promises of the Government’s manifesto, and which was fulfilled in the first hundred days.
Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli said that this investment is a confirmation of the Government’s commitment to continue to be close to Local Councils and residents, by providing the necessary resources to transform community priorities into concrete projects. She stressed that the Government is continuing to strengthen collaboration with Local Councils so that public investment reaches directly where it is most needed and leads to tangible improvements in daily life.
“We are increasing investment in our communities to €12.8 million to give Local Councils more tools to carry out the projects that their residents really need. This is a promise that we are fulfilling in the first hundred days,” stressed Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli.
For his part, Permanent Secretary Emil Vassallo stressed the importance of remaining sensitive to the realities of local communities, while fully respecting the autonomy of local councils. He maintained that it should be up to the councils themselves to choose which projects are carried out in their localities, as they are closest to the residents and therefore know their needs best.
The Director General of the Community Projects Division within the Department of Public Works, Architect Nadia Gatt, said that this agreement will continue to strengthen the joint work with Local Councils so that projects are identified and implemented more efficiently. She stressed that the increase in allocation will allow for the implementation of more projects that leave a concrete and positive impact on the public spaces and infrastructure of our localities.
Over the last two years, through the previous agreement, 123 infrastructural projects have been carried out in different localities across Malta, with direct work between the Department of Public Works and the Local Councils.
Through the new agreement, funding will continue to translate local priorities into concrete projects, with clearly established budgets, timelines and accountability. This will lead to a more structured and efficient process, while ensuring that investment is fairer and based on the real needs of localities. The aim remains to strengthen coordination and accountability between Local Councils and the Department of Public Works, so that investment leads to safer, more accessible and quality public spaces for residents.
The investment will also continue to support initiatives that have a direct impact on daily life, including the work to continue improving sidewalks throughout the country, with an emphasis on greater accessibility and mobility for all communities.
With this agreement, the Government is continuing to invest in all Local Councils in Malta, while providing them with the tools and support necessary to transform their vision for the locality into concrete projects that leave a positive impact on residents.
Photo: MLGP
