A building in the Mrieħel area that was used as a mill in the past will be formally handed over to the Birkirkara Local Council following an agreement that was signed between the Lands Authority and the Birkirkara Local Council.
This was announced by the Minister for Lands and Implementation of the Electoral Program Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli during a visit to the site during which the devolution agreement was signed.
The Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that thanks to this agreement made with the Land Authority, the Local Council of Birkirkara will be able to start a restoration and renovation project in order to get this building back. its value and it starts to be used by the Karkari community for various activities.
The Minister explained how this Council will also be benefiting from the capping scheme on the lease that was announced at the beginning of this year. Through this scheme, the lease of the building will be reduced to only €500 per year instead of the actual value of the lease which used to reach €4,046. Thus this money that will remain in the hands of the Council will be able to be utilized in other projects in this locality.
“As a Government we are working to preserve and maintain these historic buildings, we will see how we can use them again to benefit the communities where they are located. Therefore we are discussing with the Local Councils and the unions so that where there is public land that can potentially be utilized for the benefit of the community, we will start a discussion and see how we can use this land,” concluded Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi.
The Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli said how this building which was originally a mill but with the fullness of time was abandoned will come back to life through a project of the Birkirkara Local Council. This is a demonstration of confidence from the Government in the local councils, this time of Birkirkara, who can manage such large projects.
“Despite the fact that this place will not be used again as a mill, it will be renovated into a space for the use of Karkarizi associations. Birkirkara is a very active locality and therefore it includes several associations, and it is good that they have an adequate place where they can meet and stage their activities,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.
The Mayor of Birkirkara Local Council Joanne Debono Grech expressed her satisfaction for the devolution agreement that was signed.
