New Parliament to open by end of March

The new Parliament building outside City gate is expected to fully open its doors by the end of March, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation Chairman Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said.

Speaking during a House Business Committee meeting, Azzopardi said that, according to information provided to him by the building's contractors, certain areas inside the new building will be fully completed by 31 January. The handover of zones, including the Speaker's office, from the old parliament to the new one, will commence as from 7 February. 

The first two floors are also projected to be completed by 7 February, while the fire escape stairs and service list are projected to be completed by 15 February. The ground floor, the lower ground floor, the third floor, the Chamber block, the office block lift and lift lobbies are all projected to be completed by 28 February.

He pointed out that delays were largely caused because the original desks in the Chamber were far too large. They have since been sent to their manufacturing company in Italy for resizing and will be returned by the end of the month.

He also highlighted the delayed deliveries of stone works, fire doors, metal soffits, door thresholds, and sliding floors, as well as "overall and ongoing snagging".

In a short debate following Azzopardi's presentation, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi pointed out that, at  €45 million, the construction cost for the parliament building will be 50% more expensive than was originally estimated. 

When pressed by deputy Opposition leader Mario de Marco to commit to a specific deadline, Mizzi refused to do so.  

"Ideally, the contractors' deadlines stick but, after witnessing the deadline getting pushed back on several occasions , I cannot commit to a specific handover date."