It is laudable for the government to create more open spaces such as the €2.4 million garden just inaugurated at Pembroke to improve families’ quality of life. However, here at Paola and the surrounding areas, we are much more likely to see concrete jungles than gardens. It was reported

some time ago that the Nissen huts area at Corradino was earmarked for the building of more factories, extending the existing industrial estate to within a stone’s throw from the cluster of sports facilities in that area.

Moreover, the Corradino Lines will, with the projected extension, be henceforth flanked on the northeast and the southwest side by a large number of factories running parallel to these fortifications with only a few metres separating them.

Apparently, few are aware that EU funds are made available through the programme known as AT Fort to finance a plan for the restoration and rehabilitation of this colonial heritage.

Thus, it would make much more sense and would cost much less to transform the area into a recreational park ­­­­­– Ta’ Qali style – than spend millions to construct more factories when there are so many empty factories in other industrial estates.