Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi announced that this was financed with Measure 4.3 aimed at increasing investment related to the development of the agricultural sector from the Rural Development Program 2014-2020.
Minister Ian Borg said that, “This is the way we look at our country’s infrastructure, in this case working towards better rural roads. As a responsible minister I always look forward to have coordinated work between Infrastructure Malta, which I would like to thank for their continuous work, as well as with other entities and local councils so that the final result is delivered as desired. We are committed to continue delivering projects such as these rural roads that see improvement and quality not only on the road surface but also on essential and ancillary services. That way, every project is delivered to the people in a holistic manner”.
The minister added that working on rural roads is an essential investment for Maltese farmers, for residents who use them as secondary routes, for cyclists, and also for anyone who walks and exercises on these roads.
“Work on infrastructure is progressing at a very rapid pace. We have just announced that more than 500 roads are ready, and this plan is no less in relation to rural roads. I look forward to more work which will raise the level of infrastructure on all our roads in a way that suits Maltese and Gozitan citizens”, said Minister Ian Borg.
Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the works carried out are yielding results in Qrendi with funding of more than €600,000 with a total of almost two kilometres of rural roads.
He explained how this measure continues to strengthen the accessibility of rural roads around Malta and Gozo, while providing better tools for farmers to be able to do their work and enter their farms and fields more easily. He stressed that the work carried out on these roads will not only benefit farmers, but also the people who pass through these rural roads.
Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi concluded by saying that, “through these European funds we continue to invest and consequently strengthen the Maltese agricultural sector”.
Mayor of Qrendi David Schembri explained how the work conducted in the two kilometre stretch of countryside road has benefited the numerous potato and onion crop harvesters who have for decades worked the adoring fields. He continued by saying that numerous Maltese and foreign visitors opt to use this country road as part of their daily exercise, together with cyclists who have also included the road as part of their leisure routes. Finally, he concluded by saying that these rural roads created a link to the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Ħagar Qim, the Għar Lapsi and Wied iż-Żurrieq bays, as well as the Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ and Rabat making the journey shorter, with no traffic and more easily accessible to all.
