Sorry state of Gzira

Gzira is getting filthier by the minute. The moment we step out of our homes it is as if we're walking in Baghdad. The litter makes it sickening to walk in the streets. Instead of planting trees in the town, the local council has decided to let weeds grow all around the pavements.

When I called the council, their only feeble excuse was that it was the government's fault (typical of local authorities) as it was reducing the number of maintenance personnel. Gzira's have been reduced to three.

A field in the middle of Gzira, referred to as Tal-Baruni, has become the local rubbish dump and rats are the newly acquired local pets. The council's only worthless solution was to erect signs around the field warning people not to "dispose of your rubbish here". It was MEPA that took the blame here; the council complained about the ministry not supporting their attempts to clean up the land.

Luqa Briffa Street was recently resurfaced but thanks to the low-grade tarmac used, it is in a more abysmal state now! The street markings in Sliema Road have not been repainted and it is now impossible to distinguish between one lane and another.

It is not bad enough that a stigma surrounds Gzira? Does the locality really need another blow by keeping it in this woeful state?