Every time immigrants with no documents arrive in Malta, they are, after some investigation, kept in a detention centre – that of Safi.

Not many people know that the centre and the barracks are not in Safi but are in Kirkop, just a few steps away from Housing Estate Kirkop Phase 2.

These barracks were given the name “Safi” by the RAF, because their headquarters were in Safi, where nowadays the housing estate of Hlantun is situated. Even the Air Malta offices were called “Safi” by the RAF.

It is a shame that 60 years after the war, with Malta becoming independent and a republic and subsequently joining the European Union, we persist with the same mistake as that made by the English. Is there anyone in Malta who can correct this geographical mistake?

Another insult to Kirkop is that everyone says the new school and sports centre is in Karwija. I am asking where Housing Estate Kirkop Phase 2, which is in the same area as the new school and sports centre, is situated – Karwija or Kirkop? Who deduced that the new school and sports centre are in Karwija? Do they really know where Karwija is? I have all the proof and documents to show where Karwija really is. Or is Kirkop becoming less important?

I ask all Kirkop residents to speak out and not let the name and boundaries of the village be undermined.

Leonard Agius

KIRKOP