More than €500,000 have been invested in the regeneration of Ġnien l-Għarusa tal-Mosta, inaugurated by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Sustainable Development Minister José Herrera on Sunday.

Dr Muscat said that open spaces in Mosta were uncommon so it was incomprehensible how this jewel had been left to deteriorate for many years without anything being invested in it.

More than 2,200 trees and shrubs have been planted, 4,300 metres squared of paving was laid, the facilities, paths and passageway were restored and safety features were installed.

It would now again become a place where the Mosta communitry could rest and it could also be considered an extension to Mcast, where students could spend their lunchtime, Dr Muscat said, adding that work on the restoration of the Victoria Lines would also be carried out.

The Prime Minister said he was satisfied with the work but it was important to reach a clear agreement with the council in the next legislature about how the garden should be cared for.

Dr Herrera said the project was witness of the country’s work in favour of the environment.

Ambjent Malta, he said, was leaving a direct impact on the country’s communities and the natural capital. Through a holistic strategy, open spaces in Malta had to be transformed into spaces that gave communities somewhere to rest, he said.