The Government notes with disappointment the GSD’s latest press release, which once again chooses political point-scoring over constructive engagement on one of Gibraltar’s most long-standing and complex infrastructure challenges, namely, the condition and performance of the sewer and storm drainage systems.

The fact is that Gibraltar’s drainage and sewage systems, some of which are over a century old, were allowed to deteriorate through decades of underinvestment, including the 16 years the GSD spent in office, during which time average spending on sewage infrastructure amounted to just £200,000 per year.

Upon entering office, this administration was advised by the Technical Services Department that the condition of the system was critically degraded and that a radical increase in investment and phased, high-risk engineering works would be essential to avoid serious failures. In response, the Government has invested an average of £932,000 per year over the last 13 years on a variety of improvements. This amounts to over four times what the GSD allocated when it had the opportunity to act.

The Infrastructure Section of the TSD works year-round to improve and maintain both sewer and stormwater networks. This includes desilting, manhole reconstruction, pipe replacement, and coordination with developers to future-proof new connections. Major upgrades such as the Europort Avenue system, which increased retention from 11,000 to 320,000 litres, exemplify this strategic approach.

In addition to a rolling relining programme, new pumping stations have been delivered at King’s Bastion, Varyl Begg, and Beach View Terraces. The Eastside Sewage Transfer Scheme has now been awarded, and a new pumping station is planned for Bayside.

All this has been clearly set out in great detail in Parliament in answer to Questions by the Minister for Technical Services and Infrastructure, John Cortes.  These Answers were not challenged at the time when there was ample opportunity to do so.  The GSD cannot complain when they consider answers are short but then ignore the content of answers where a great deal of detail is given.

Claims of “widespread flooding” are also false. Flood incidents have been significantly reduced over the past decade due to targeted works in key locations, such as Wellington Front, Jumpers Bastion and Queensway.  The evidence of this work is that these areas did not flood even during the recent heavy rains. 

The Government also rejects the suggestion that civil servants are left “fire-fighting.” The professionals at TSD are executing one of the most complex and continuous engineering programmes in Gibraltar with courage, expertise and dedication.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, stated: “Politics should be a force for good. A tool to make people’s lives better and to solve the problems that really matter. I still remember the first weekend after taking office having to handle a completely collapsed Line wall sewer. This was the legacy of the GSD. Gibraltar faces major infrastructure challenges, but if we set aside political cynicism and work together, we can meet them.”