The Gozitan NGO Wirt Ghawdex has expressed its concern about the state of preservation of the mediaeval chapel of St Cecilia in Ghajnsielem.

The NGO said it had drawn the attention of the authorities over a number of years but to date nothing has been done to safeguard this chapel.

It said some years back the chapel was expropriated and Wirt Ghawdex was promised it would be able to use it as its headquarters. The society, it said, was ready to embark on a major restoration project once the chapel is assigned to it.

Wirt Ghawdex said the chapel has suffered considerable damage over the years and, if not addressed immediately, there is a danger that in a short time, Gozo will lose yet another "priceless monument".

Meanwhile Wirt Ghawdex has written to the ministers concerned expressing the need for the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage established by Act VI of 2002 to be properly represented in Gozo.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Superintendence has been functioning for three years, it said, in Gozo it has no office or permanent representative. There is no one in Gozo to whom one may turn to in cases of emergency.