I would like to refer to the report 2007 will be an outstanding year for Gozo (TMID, 31 January).

Minister Giovanna Debono referred, among other things, to the continued rehabilitation of Dwejra. I enclose these photos taken late last year and would like to ask whether these are part of the rehabilitation referred to and if so, what the continued rehabilitation encompasses. Despite being one of the most visited places on the island, Dwejra has been allowed to deteriorate to a frightening degree.

A visit to the mayor of San Lawrenz in 2003 inquiring about the Dwejra Life Project Life03 resulted in him showing me a wonderful plan for new toilets. There were no plans for anything else and I was under the impression that funds for this project had a three-year “use by” date. Since then the only rehabilitation projects that are obvious are:

• The “Welcome to Dwejra Heritage Park” information table next to the “KEEP OUT” graffiti, which is self-explanatory. It is situated right next to the new cemetery, surrounded by trapping paraphernalia and overlooking the appalling construction waste dump on the other side of the valley in front of the quarries. I can only assume that the road is kept in such a bad condition so that tourists will not notice how disgusting the whole place has become. The Gozo Ministry and the Gozo Tourist Authority are to be commended for coming up with such a good idea to save money, keep the hunters happy and frighten off the tourists.

• The wooden structure in front of the public conveniences which, for your readers’ information, is not a kiosk selling Christmas decorations as is commonly found in Germanic countries (and more recently on the Waterfront in Valletta) during the four weeks before Christmas, it is the toilet manager’s new office. His old office (situated between the ladies and gents toilets) was allocated as a shower for the divers, however, to date I have never seen it used, nor have I seen it unlocked.

• Several metres of newly-built “instant” rubble walls which simply do not fit in with the landscape. These walls will obviously not last very long as they are susceptible to all sorts of external forces such as the weather, vehicles bashing into them, cement corroding, etc. This can be observed in other parts of the island.

To give credit where credit is due, the road from Rabat/Victoria to the Ta’ Pinu turn-off is wonderful. Congratulations to the Gozo Minister for achieving such a spectacular, three-kilometre long highway in less than a year of total inconvenience. The fact that it is way over budget is only a minor hiccup.

It would be interesting to know whether the costs for jack-hammering out numerous holes in the completed, beautifully paved side-walk to accommodate light-fitting poles was included in the initial quote. Were the light fittings actually overseen? I shudder to think what else had been forgotten in this marvel. The construction needed to correct the fact that the Ghasri circle is too large (or the road too narrow) to accommodate large trucks doesn’t even bear thinking about.

I don’t think I need to comment further...

Lesley G. Kreupl

Gharb