Armed with brooms, spades, wheelbarrows and garbage bags, a group of immigrants yesterday took it upon themselves to clean the area around the Marsa open centre.

The 12-odd migrants split in groups of two or three and collected all sorts of rubbish as others sat on the wall and watched them.

Solomon Azeke, 30, from Nigeria, said the project was one way of returning Malta's kindness. "Since I'm not working, I don't pay taxes so this is the best way. This is the best way to contribute my own quota for my safety," he said.

His volunteering was a way of repaying Malta for rescuing him and keeping him safe, Mr Azeke said.

The other immigrants, from Nigeria, Somalia, Chad, Eritrea and Ethiopia, welcomed the fact they had something to do.

The idea came from the management of the open centre and the Marsa local council.

The director of the government agency responsible for immigrants, the Organisation for Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers (Oiwas), Alex Tortell said the project was a clear example of collaboration between the local council and the centre.

Through the project, the immigrants sent out a positive message that they were interested in the community, he said.

Marsa mayor Francis Debono said the initiative was a win-win situation for the immigrants and the community. The council will make a financial contribution to Suret il-Bniedem, which will then be distributed among the volunteers.

People complain the immigrants were taking over the country but they suffered a lot, Mr Debono said.