Just 14 months following its inauguration, the olive grove in San Ġwann is already showing signs of abandonment. The lights adorning the Fr Leopoldo Tabone grove have remained switched off for the last two months or so. We all know what kind of illicit activities dark open spaces can lure at night.

The local council claimed it was the result of a fault. Let’s hope this is indeed the case, and that it is not an excuse to cut costs in one of the best San Ġwann projects for a number of years. In recent months, the rubble wall has been coming apart and rubbish can already be seen strewn around the place.

It would be a real pity if we abandoned this little patch of open space in an increasingly built-up locality just a few months after its inauguration. Let’s also not forget that more than 320 olive trees had been planted by residents through the 34U campaign.