Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party chairperson Harry Vassallo told a news conference in Xlendi that the state of neglect of national treasures in Gozo was a matter for grave concern.

“The ancient watch tower at Xlendi is about to collapse due to long standing neglect. If the Gozo Ministry has not been able to secure the emergency repairs necessary for this national treasure, one is entitled to predict that it will not be able to address the disaster of its collapse, which will cause much more damage than already exists. This tower, hallmark of this small seaside village, will disappear for ever,” Dr Vassallo said.

In reply, the ministry said that restoring Xlendi Tower was not its responsibility but that of third parties.

It said it did have its priorities right and had indeed embarked on several restoration projects for sites that fell within its responsibilities, chief among which were the Citadel and Ggantija Temples, where restoration works were carried out in recent years.