The Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea – known collectively as Cottonera, are being promoted as a new tourist hub for their history, heritage, culture and scenery. The rehabilitation of Cottonera is becoming a reality.
However, the state of the gateway to the Three Cities, beyond the Għajn Dwieli tunnels (Cospicua side) beggars description: patches of soil overgrown with weeds and accumulating dirt. A facelift is overdue.
It appears that where regular maintenance is concerned we Maltese lag behind. The once impeccable Vittoriosa Marina waterfront is a thing of the past. Unkempt flower boxes replete with weeds, dislocated and cracked pavements, are conspicuous.
But the cherry on the cake is the severely rusted elegant iron sculpture, Sails and Dolphins by Charles Sammut, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Developnmetn and Road Landscaping in 2007. Besides being an eyesore, the rusted iron bolts are damaging its plinth.
Is no one responsible?