Government to give €3 million ‘gift’ to Birzebbugia residents

Birzebbugia residents will soon be able to enjoy new water polo and football pitches, infrastructure minister Joe Mizzi said today.

Addressing a press conference in Birzebbugia together with parliamentary secretary for youth and sport, Stefan Buontempo, Mizzi said that the two projects would cost €3 million and would be completed in two years.

Buontempo said that the government was fulfilling its promise to the residents of Birzebbugia and neighbouring villages and towns and "giving something back" to them.

Describing the two projects as a "gift" to the residents, Buontempo said that the Labour government was fulfilling its electoral promise to the inhabitants of the "neglected" areas in southern part of the island.

Pointing out that the two projects would provide sports facilities of the highest standards, the parliamentary secretary said that works on the water polo pitch would commence in a month's time, while works on the new football ground would start next year.

The water polo pitch will be constructed on the site of a derelict pitch in Pretty Bay and will be a sweet water pool measuring 33 by 25 metres. The pitch will cost €1.2 million and the second phase of the project will see the construction of a €400,000 clubhouse.

On his part, transport and infrastructure minister Joe Mizzi explained that the Labour government will not let down the Birzebbugia residents as the previous PN administrations had done.

Addressing a sizeable crowd of residents who turned up for the press conference, Mizzi said: "I promise that once the project will start, works will not be interrupted. Moreover, I will also make sure that the project deadlines are met and remain within budget, unless something extraordinary happens."

He added that the water polo pitch project was first promised to the Birzebbugia residents in 2003, however this never materialised and upon taking office, he discovered that there were no funds allocated.

The town's mayor, Joseph Farrugia thanked the minister and parliamentary secretary for fulfilling the electoral promise within six months from the general election and thanked the Labour Party and the government for funding projects, which would keep young people away from drugs.