Lately there was an attempt to restore the extinct fountain at the Qbajjar promenade which had been derelict for about 10 years.

Adopting their usual sense of timing, Żebbuġ council started work during Santa Marija week and people out for a leisurely walk to enjoy the fresh sea breeze were instead given a taste of fine Gozo dust (the accompanying photo was taken on a weekend).

However, we were relieved that the long-awaited job had at least been started.

But our relief soon turned to worry. As with most things connected with this council, work stopped half-way with the result that instead of a fountain we can now boast a glorified mosquito breeding ground, with stagnant water festering very close to a children’s playground.

As if this playground, lacking basic safety equipment, wasn’t dangerous enough, there is now the added danger of children climbing over and falling into the water.

Reporting the matter to a member of the local council’s Marsalforn sub-committee, I was informed that the mayor had actually assured them that work on the fountain has been completed.

I then tried the Health Department in Gozo, to at least get them to empty the fountain from the stagnating water. But guess what? They told me they’ll report the matter to the Żebbug council!

The result is not surprising: three weeks later the danger to the children remains and I’m running out of mosquito repellants.