The dump at Maghtab, better known as Mount Maghtab, has been a monumental disgrace to this country. In recent months, however, this facility has taken a turn for the better.
Ever since Mount Maghtab, together with Ta' Zwejra, has stopped being used to dump any sort of waste, residents of Maghtab are breathing some fresh air.
For many years, the air around the village was filled with an acrid smell of toxic emissions and dust. The health implications of this are still unknown but one hopes that the vision of this government to gradually heal this site will diminish this incidence. Besides the capping of the site, the collection and treatment of obnoxious gases and the capture of methane to produce a form of alternative energy, the vision to turn this site into a park with a total investment of €30 million will help us residents enjoy a better quality of life similar to what other citizens of Malta strive for.
The commitment, dedication and hard work of Minister George Pullicino has finally helped to put words and plans into action. To our appreciation, the Maghtab village is also gradually being rehabilitated. A programme was drawn up for the village itself that includes fixing of rubble walls, resurfacing of roads, maintenance of street lighting, planting of trees and installation of street furniture. The works are ongoing and gradually we are eroding our lack of trust for having been promised so much for so long. At last, we have a Minister who has shouldered his environmental responsibility well.
These works have already made a significant change to the general outlook of the village. Although much more needs to be done the positive thing is that what has so far been done has been done very well. Well done, keep it up.
A major project involving a new access road to the new waste facility at Ghallis, from the Coast Road, is still in the pipeline. This will be the one project that will truly give the village an everlasting breath of fresh air. This will eliminate the hundreds of heavily loaded trucks driving right through the tiny village core, leaving behind a blight of dust and fumes.
If all keeps going to plan and the Environment Ministry continues to keep up with its effort to deliver a vision of sound waste management practices and rehabilitated disused dumps, then it is not only the people of Marsascala or Maghtab who will benefit. It is us, each and every citizen of Malta, that stand to gain.
Well done in setting the pace to make Malta a better place to be in for all the Maltese and their guests.