Despite the number of protests from farmers, from families whose income depends on the cultivation of fields that are dependent on ground water, despite the reports of experts regarding the damage that has been done and that will eventually gather momentum with regard to the catchments of rain water, the building of the Nadur cemetery in Gozo, is still progressing without any hindrance whatsoever.

This also despite the fact that the appeal launched since 2007, has been postponed, and postponed and postponed, while the excavations and building kept going on.

In a recent local TV programme this week, it was stated that the number of burials at the old Nadur cemetery during 2009 was only 32. Yet the new cemetery is being build to accommodate 630 graves.

All this has come at the expense of the disruption of the natural ecosystem, the endangering of the citrus groves in the area amounting to more than 5000 trees, and putting in danger the livelihood of the farmers cultivating the fields in the area.

On behalf of the farmers of the area, I would like to appeal to the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Joseph Muscat, His Excellency the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, and the five Gozitan Members of Parliament to intervene on behalf of all the farmers and their families, especially in these difficult times, and stop the permanent damage which is being done, and for which there is no particular social need.

C. Camilleri

NADUR