Now that the second phase of roadworks from Xewkija to the heart of Victoria has been completed, everybody should be satisfied with the visual result of having good roads after so many dusty days and diversions. Gozo badly needed such a major project.

However, my big complaint and of many others is about the trees that have been removed along the route where roadworks were carried out. Some were removed without a valid reason. If they obstructed or were in the middle of the new road layout, one can understand but most of the trees that disappeared were all by the side of the road.

Some 50 trees have disappeared from Mġarr Road, at Tal-Ħniena to It-Torri Ta’ Santa Ċeċilja. In front of the University of Malta’s Gozo campus, some 14 trees were removed and 15 from in front of the Ninu Cremona Lyceum Complex in Victoria.

All these were mature trees, very similar to those still existing at Ta’ Ħamet, on the road to Nadur.

The next to meet the same fate are rumoured to be those at Main Square/Independence Square/It-Tokk in Victoria. There are 15 huge trees around the square, which, from time immemorial, have embellished the place, providing shade and giving a special identity to the whole of Gozo.

Why is all this happening in Eco-Gozo?

Again, the refurbishing of Villa Rundle in Victoria involved the eradication of a third of its trees and many others are bound to die. I am only mentioning trees, leaving out other positive aspects of its upgrading, simply because trees are the life and soul of a public garden. All I can say is that now it is hard to find a bench in the shade.

In connection with the Villa Rundle project, it was originally envisaged to have the side with Ninu Cremona Street all built up, which would have meant removing more trees to provide the necessary stores because the old ones on the west side of the garden disappeared and the land transferred to a private entrepreneur. However, public pressure made the authorities have a rethink on the matter.

Why is all this happening in Eco-Gozo?