The local councils of Valletta, Birkirkara, Marsaxokk, Birżebbuġa and Żurrieq will be participants in a pilot project with the Division for Cleaning and Maintenance with the aim of strengthening the efficiency and speed of cleaning of – roads in the said localities.
This pilot project will take six months and will see in detail what the existing challenges and opportunities are in terms of external sanitation in these locations.
These details were announced in a news conference addressed by the Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo, the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli, and the Director General of the Division for Cleaning and Maintenance Ramon Deguara .
The Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo said that there is currently a system where a number of local councils work with private companies to assist the localities when it comes to street sweeping and collection of other material. “We have to recognize that this service does not always reach the level of cleanliness desired both by the local councils and also by the residents. “Therefore, the government, through the Division for Cleaning and Maintenance, will be assisting by strengthening the human resource which in itself means more efficiency in local villages and towns”, continued the Minister. Clayton Bartolo. He also added that the aim will be to expand the collaboration through this pilot project between the local council and this division in more localities throughout the country.
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli emphasized the importance of residents giving their contribution by keeping the outside door clean just as they keep the inside door clean in their home. “Maintaining clean localities is a challenge for local councils, but through a collective and wise effort we will create an opportunity for a better, cleaner and healthier environment for the benefit of the residents”, said the parliamentary secretary.
Director General of the Division for Cleaning and Maintenance Ramon Deguara said that as a division they will remain committed to using all possible and available means to continue to strengthen public cleanliness in the localities.
