We refer to the item titled - Floriana Council complains about neglected garden (TMID 25 January) which alleges that the Mall Gardens “have been left for themselves and are today in a state of neglect”.

ELC does not want to enter into the merits of some of the comments in what was presumably a press release issued by Floriana local council. It will at this stage only limit itself to state that (1) the lighting at The Mall does not to date fall formally under its responsibility, although it is expected that this will soon be the case when specific formal handover is effected. (This notwithstanding ELC is looking into the lighting problem even before such handover) and (2) it is completely untrue that the Gardens are in a state of neglect and that the only plants planted were those for the inauguration ceremony which today have died (sic).

The truth is that the Gardens are regularly attended to, as programmed, by ELC workers based in the central district. Since the inauguration ceremony mentioned, organised by the ministry responsible for the refurbishing of the gardens, ELC personnel have over and above the plantings made for the occasion, planted at least 2,000 Stocks and 3,500 Calendula. Within a short period of time, weather permitting, these will be in flower and will certainly give colour to the place. That the place is not in a state of neglect as alleged by council can be evinced by a simple visit to the Gardens.

Ronald D. Cuschieri (Dr.)

General Manager – ELC