Work on the 'Zewwieqa Waterfront' started last week, thus finally rehabilitating the area known as Taz-Zewwieqa into a waterfront area by creating pedestrian zones, landscaped plazas including seating area with open sea views, an area hosting the restored Dghajsa tal-Latini and an informal stage structure. The waterfront, a project developed by the Ministry for Gozo aims to create another tourism zone in Gozo by turning it into a hub or entertainment activities.

Two bidders have been recommended to carry out the works required to embellish the Żewwieqa Waterfront in Mgarr harbour, with Road Network Joint Venture recommended to carry out the vast majority of the work required. A competition for the design of the waterfront, beside the marina, was originally launched in 2007.

In 2010, S&A Quality Assurance Surveyor was awarded the contract for the project’s construction management services, with a €119,550.70 bid. Just over €5 million, excluding VAT, were budgeted for the project, with 85 per cent of the necessary funds provided through the EU’s European Regional Development Fund. The project was divided into 3 lots. Lot 1 comprises the bulk of the project – the civil and embellishment works – and allocated a €4.8 million budget. Lot 2 comprises the installation of service utilities, while the supply and installation of street furniture made up Lot 3.  Three bidders submitted bids for all 3 lots: Polidano Brothers Ltd, GRV Joint Venture and Road Network Joint Works. A fourth bidder, Bugeja Bros (Gozo) Ltd, only submitted a bid for the third lot. Polidano were excluded before the financial offers were made public. The cheapest bid for Lot 1 was filed by Road Network Joint Venture, whose €3.76 million offer narrowly outbid GRV Joint Venture’s €3.85 million one. By offering to supply and install street furniture for €35,872, it also filed the cheapest bid for Lot 3. However, while it offered to carry out the works outlined in Lot 2 for €97,457.75, Gatt Tarmac Ltd, on behalf of GRV, offered to carry them out for just €65,914.46. Since, according to the tender document, the contract should be awarded to the cheapest-priced bid satisfying technical requirements, Road Network Joint Venture has been recommended for lots 1 and 3, while Gatt Tarmac has been recommended for the second lot. Works would have to be carried out within an 18-month period, according to the contract’s terms.