Gnien Sta Marija tal-Angli, a new public garden in Bahar ic-Caghaq, was inaugurated this morning by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Resources Minister George Pullicino.

The garden was built on disused space covering an area of about 1,800 square through a government investment of about €450,000.

The project, carried out in collaboration with the Naxxar local council, involved the installation of street lighting, a fountain and paving of the area.

An underground reservoir can store up to 500 cubic metres of water.

Dr Gonzi said that through such projects, the government was creating more jobs for workers and places where families can recreate themselves.

Other recreational projects inaugurated in the past four years included the Adventure Park at Ta' Qali, George Bonello du Puis Garden in Qui Si Sana, St George's Square in Valletta, a park at Xrobb l-Ghagin, an outdoor gym at Ta' Qali, the extension of the Salina National Park, St Anne Square and Bisazza Street.

Work was also ongoing on other projects for children and families at Marsascala, Mellieha and Zewwieqa Waterfront. Jobs were also being creating through other infrastructural works such as the restoration of the bastions, road building, Dock 1 and a new MCAST campus. A total of 125 people were working on the restoration of the bastions.

Besides creating more open spaces, a new school with more sports facilities was also being built each year to help improve quality of life.

Maghtab was also being rehabilitated so that it would be transformed into a family park. Other environmental initiatives included new buses and schemes for the installation of solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels.