PRESS RELEASE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR PUBLIC CLEANLINESS Ekonomija b’Saħħitha – Futur għal Uliedna: Public call to be issued for the regeneration of Baħrija Square

In the hearts of our towns and villages, Maltese families, the elderly, and children come together to form invaluable relationships, making every locality and community deserving of a beautiful and safe environment. This belief has guided the Government’s policy in recent years, focusing on the embellishment of pedestrian areas, the creation of new open and green spaces, and the maintenance of cleanliness within the core of every locality. 

During a visit to ongoing works being carried out by the Department of Public Works around the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Ta’ Casha) in Rabat, it was announced that in the coming weeks a public call will be issued for the regeneration of Baħrija Square, another open-space project led by the Department of Public Works.

This announcement was made by Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia, who also underlined the importance of embellishing the centres of our localities and improving the pedestrian zones surrounding our architectural heritage, both essential to creating cleaner, more liveable, and culturally vibrant communities.

“In recent months, as the Department of Public Works, we have worked on no fewer than six projects involving new or regenerated pedestrian zones, including in Mosta, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Ħal Kirkop, and currently in Rabat, Malta. Because we have a strong economy and we want to continue building a future for our children, in the coming year we will continue investing to create more projects for the enjoyment of the community,” said Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glenn Bedingfield explained that, “This Budget supports people not only individually, but also at community level through greater investment in public cleanliness. Clean surroundings mean a more beautiful and better environment for Maltese communities. The Cleansing Division now works closely with several local councils and government entities to ensure the highest environmental standards. Here in Rabat, we have fourteen dedicated workers who know the locality well and are strengthening the Division’s presence within the community. What we are doing here is also being done in several other localities, because this is a Government that truly cares for everyone.”

Mayor of Rabat Sandro Craus welcomed with satisfaction the announcement of the regeneration project for Baħrija Square, noting that the strong synergy between the Department of Public Works, the Cleansing and Maintenance Division, and the Rabat Local Council is leading to a transformation of the locality’s core while ensuring it is maintained in the best possible condition.

The chapel, located in the area known as Ta’ Għexierem, was built around 1550 and holds significant cultural importance for Rabat and its residents. After decades of neglect, the surroundings of this chapel have, in recent months, undergone embellishment works including new paving and a new architectural lighting system that complements the chapel’s Baroque architecture.

The Parliamentary Secretaries were accompanied during the visit by Perit Kurt Sapiano, project architect, and Ramon Deguara, Director General of the Cleansing and Maintenance Division.