The Addolorata Cemetery remains in a shambles a year after the government announced a €16 million private-public partnership for its extension, maintenance, and restoration.

Health Minister Chris Fearne made the announcement over a year ago, yet despite the promise to enter into the partnership “soon”, overgrown weeds, rusty signs and bags full of garbage still mar Malta’s largest burial ground.

Once complete, the project would see an additional 2,800 graves added to the “crowded” cemetery, with the successful bidder also being tied to a €6 million restoration obligation.

Yet despite Mr Fearne announcing in April that five consortia had expressed interest in the call, there has not been any other information about the project. As a result, those paying their respects are still being forced to clear litter away from the tombstones.

During a recent visit, this newspaper found used candles and empty plastic bottles, often placed on the tombstones by visitors, strewn throughout.

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The ample number of bins proved useless, as the majority were damaged and rusty, with litter spilling out the sides.

Relatives who spoke to this newspaper on the condition of anonymity said they spent a good portion of their visit clearing up the areas, as they could not stomach seeing their family’s tombstones in such a state.

They added that despite this, the state of the signage and bins at the cemetery as well as the overgrown weeds and tree branches made visits unbearable.

“Visiting a cemetery is never easy, yet when we come here and see things in this state, it’s even harder. Something needs to be done,” the relatives said.

Following reports in this newspaper about the cemetery, a Health Ministry spokeswoman said the ministry, which is responsible for running cemeteries, had stepped up the upkeep of Addolorata by “adding maintenance personnel”.

A ministry spokeswoman said yesterday: “Discussions with the four consortia remaining in the Addolorata project are ongoing and within the targeted time frames.

“The process is at the ‘best and final offer’ stage. Once negotiations are concluded and the contract awarded, the project will see not only the extension of the cemetery, but also the restoration, maintenance and running of the existing Addolorata.”