The public toilet at the Independence Gardens in Sliema used to be kept in pristine condition but, unfortunately, has lately deteriorated unbefitting a European country.

Two out of the four toilet cabinets (there are no urinals) are permanently closed while the remaining two lack the proper facilities. The doors would not lock and no toilet paper is provided. Small wonder why, occasionally, the toilet gets blocked with filthy water up to the brim. In an emergency, any alternative paper will have to do.

To make things worse, there is no water in the one wash-hand basin and the small electric hand dryer does not function.

A real pity when one considers that this toilet is patronised continuously by a good number of tourists.

If this economy on hygiene is a source of contribution to the much-boasted government surplus, I am not impressed.