Own Initiative Investigation: Excessive delays in completion of roadworks in Triq Tumas Cassar, Għarb

Own Initiative Investigation: Excessive delays in completion of roadworks in Triq Tumas Cassar, Għarb

Published February 05, 2026

Resolved after the direct intervention of the Minister for Gozo and Planning following a request by the Ombudsman in terms of Art 18(4) of Chapter 385 of the Laws of Malta

The background

In the Summer of 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman received verbal requests for assistance from people residing in Triq Tumas Cassar Għarb that due to road works that had been going on for months they were sustaining severe inconvenience including excessive dust related nuisance.  

Preliminary evaluation

On the 31 July 2025, the Office made enquiries with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning regarding the works in the road in question.  On the 31 July 2025, the Office was informed by the Ministry that the works were being carried out by Għarb Local Council as the street in question was within its remit.  

The state of Triq Tumas Cassar, Għarb on 31st July 2025

The Office obtained a set of five (5) photos of the works and on the 1 August 2025, these went sent to Għarb Local Council as part of a preliminary evaluation to determine the status of the works at issue, in particular the cause of the delay for completion.  The Council was also requested to advise the way forward for definitive completion.

On the 8 August 2025, Gharb Local Council sent its reply to the Office.  

While unequivocally acknowledging the inconvenience sustained by residents, the Council attributed the delay to unforeseen infrastructural challenges, including water and drainage main supplies replacements that required technical investigations, fresh financial estimates and their approval from other authorities.  

The Office was also informed that while works were already in progress, other works were commissioned by utilities authorities and consequently the project grew in extent.  

While highlighted the purpose and value of the project as extended from its originally planned objective, the Council advised the Office that for the project with the additional works to be fully completed, fresh budget estimates had to be submitted, approved and funded by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, a matter that could be finalised by the end of Summer 2025.

On the 11 August 2025, the Office informed the Council that its reply was not satisfactory because residents in Triq Tumas Caassar had been withstanding unmitigated and severe convenience for months.  Despite this undisputed fact, there was in sight no definite, effective and verifiable timeline for completion of the works.  

In the circumstances the Office advised the Council that in default of submission by the Council of a clear, unequivocal, definitive and verifiable timeline for the completion of works by the 31 August 2025, the Office would commence a full own initiative investigation into the matter on the strength of Art 13(2) of Chapter 385 of the Laws of Malta.  

The request of the Office was not met by the Council by the deadline of the 31 August 2025. 

Own initiative investigation

The Office commenced an own initiative investigation on the 1 September 2025 in terms of Art 13(2) of Chapter 385.

On the 1 September 2025, the Council informed the Office that it had requested leave from the Department of Local Government to go ahead with a direct order procedure.

On the 5 September 2025, the Office was informed by the Council that the direct order request had been approved by the Department of Local Government and that the Council had requested adequate funding from the Ministry for Gozo and Planning for the completion of the project.

The conclusion of the works was dependent on adequate approval and provision of funding.  The serious inconvenience of residents persisted as works stalled (or almost) for further months.

As the situation was untenable, a second set of five photos were taken and sent to the Council on the 17 November 2025. 

At this point, on his own initiative, the Ombudsman consulted the Minister for Gozo and Planning in terms of Art 18(4) of Chapter 385 and sought the direct involvement of the Minister for Gozo and Planning into the matter.

Not only did the Minister extend his full co-operation and co-ordination of what was required, but kept the Ombudsman informed.  

On his part, the Ombudsman kept constant watch and alerted the Minister whenever works were held up.

Positive outcome

On the 14 January 2026, the Office was informed by the Minister that not only had the road works resumed but that required machinery was on site for final completion of works.  Photos were sent to the Ombudsman.

The ongoing works on the 14th January 2026

When the laying of tarmac was about to commence, Storm Harry struck the Maltese Islands on the 19 and 20 January 2026. Due to the severe challenges brought about by Storm Harry, other works in Gozo had to be given priority.  The Minister assured the Ombudsman that laying of tarmac would resume soonest possible.

On the 4 February 2026, the Minister informed the Ombudsman that the laying of tarmac in Triq Tumas Cassar Għarb would commence on that day and finish on the morrow.

An aerial shot of Triq Tumas Cassar on the 5th February 2026

On the 5 February 2026 the Minister advised the Ombudsman that the first course tarmac was laid and completed.  Fresh photos confirmed the positive outcome.

Conclusion

The Ombudsman is closing the investigation.

The Ombudsman publicly acknowledges the constructive approach, updates and responsiveness of the Minister for Gozo and Planning to have the matter positively settled.

The Office of the Ombudsman will continue to follow up on issues of public concern and ensure that public service providers uphold standards of good administration.