Underground cave in Gharb - the final solution

Replying to my article "The Special Underground Cave in Gharb, Gozo" (The Sunday Times, September 15), Ms Joanne Micallef, executive secretary, Gharb council (October 13) has disclosed the story of this cave from the point of view of the council's responsibilities.

The first to show a keen interest in preserving the cave were my brother and his wife, today owners of part of the natural access to the cave, and Magistrate Paul Coppini, president of Wirt Ghawdex. Interest was later manifested with a definite resolution by authoritative people representing MEPA and the Lands Department, who - as far as I know - have categorally pronounced that:

a) the cave is Government property because it lies under public land (today part of Pjazza Gerano);

b) it has a historical and archaeological value and will be preserved tale quale,

c) Gharb council is to cover the entire cave with a strong reinforced concrete layer to safeguard it from caving in under the weight of heavy vehicles, without scraping any of the existing cave-rock.

Ms Micallef has corrected my mistaken impression that it was the council that decided to clean the part of the cave which was filled with rubble and eventually paid for the expenses involved. I had this impression from a "Report on consolidation of roof of subterranean cave in front of 'Tal-Palma', Triq Sdieri, Gharb", submitted to the council more than a year ago, precisely on September 13, 2001, by Architect Edward Scerri, wherein it was estimated that "to contribute to the conservation of the cave in question:

'Item 1 - Removing debris and rubble from part of cave which has been sealed off (would cost) Lm100; and

'Item 2 - Dismantling of wall and stone masonry pilaster within cave (would cost) Lm80". Total expenses for the project would have amounted to "Lm 457.50."

Now the council admits that it was my brother who has "commissioned a private contractor to re-excavate the blocked part of the cave and to remove the wall separating this part of the cave from the rest, all at his own expense (my italics)." And this he did simply to ensure that the cleaning is carried out (in his and Magistrate Coppini's presence) without damaging the floor and walls of a cave which is Government property. To add insult to injury, eventually, the council sent my brother an official letter holding him responsible for any damage that may be caused as a result of the cleaning of this part of the cave.

If the rest of the job were to be carried out before any damage is done, according to the architect's September 2001 report, the council would now be spending Lm457.50, less Lm100 and Lm80, i.e. just Lm277.50. The council should be thankful for the relief in the financial burden it would now be involved for the preservation of this cave.

The Maltese authorities have decided to preserve the cave without scraping any of the original cave-rock. A friend of mine from World Heritage - to whom I have sent all the information about this cave and the present state of affairs - believes we Maltese are a civilised people who do appreciate our rich historical heritage and is convinced that "no inch of the natural cave-rock will be touched" while works are carried out on the necessary roofing. Moreover, he states, money spent on preserving such heritage is an inestimable investment in our country.

Let us now hope that nobody ever dreams it would make sense "to remove the small remaining part of the roof' since "that from the interior of the cave one will still mostly see a reinforced concrete roof". I sincerely believe that MEPA will now only approve a 'method statement' which will eventually reflect respect for and appreciation of this cave.

I can assure both MEPA and the Gharb council that the craftsmanship and artistic gifts my brother is endowed with will help him camouflage the reinforced concrete ceiling from within in a professional way, again, at his own expense.

The only solution is to widen the pavement on that part where the cave needs the reinforced concrete. There is ample space. Besides, the width of the street in this particular place allows for the necessary pavement enlargement leaving more than six meters for the smooth flow of traffic, and at the same time sheltering the cars which park just beyond the roofing on that side of the square.

Moreover, this 'outstretched' pavement will - in a natural sort of way - serve to discourage traffic driving at high speed up Sdieri Street into Pjazza Gerano.