The Nationalist Party on Saturday urged Transport Minister Chris Bonett to meet the Msida local council to "understand the systematic lack of safety and other shortcomings" in ongoing road works in the locality.
In a statement issued a day after Bonett announced traffic changes that will take effect on Sunday due to the flyover project, the PN slammed his continued refusal to engage with the residents as "deplorable and absolutely unacceptable".
The opposition criticised the minister for "not finding a single hour" to meet with the Msida councillors to discuss the problems the locality has been experiencing over recent months while works on the flyover were under way.
"Yet the same minister found time to visit Msida twice to pose for the cameras," the PN said, adding it represented a "lack of respect" towards the people of Msida.
"Despite the majority of Msida councillors disagreeing with the flyover project, all councillors have shown full cooperation with the ministry and with Infrastructure Malta regarding the works. It is regrettable that the same cannot be said about the Minister," the PN said in a statement which was co-signed by all five PN members of the council including the mayor Charles Selvaggi.
The councillors pointed out they learnt of the traffic changes taking place on Sunday on the eve of their implementation "along with the rest of the public".
"This is unacceptable," they said, while complaining that details remain "unclear".
"We have no assurance that there will be adequate officers on site to direct traffic and ensure road safety so that accidents are avoided," they said.
The bridge connecting the part of the Ta'Xbiex seafront in front of the Msida parish church to the opposite side of the marina will be opened to traffic on Sunday. Meanwhile works are continuing on the flyover which is scheduled to open by the end of this year.