A woman has expressed serious concern over the safety of children playing at the Lija Garden, Ġnien Ċentru.

Footage shows the area right near the playground with a broken fence with metal wires pointing out and a broken planter looking as if it could fall any second.

“If that had to drop on a child’s head, it would kill the child,” the concerned citizen said, referring to the stones of the planter that has been broken for around three weeks. 

The woman further told Lovin Malta that she had to ask children who were “hanging on it” to remove themselves out of fear of their safety.

Meanwhile, she explained that she’s considered removing the rock slabs herself but worries that she may get in trouble for it.

In the video, the woman goes on to explain that she has reported these issues to the Local Council, so Lovin Malta has reached out and spoke to the council to clarify the issue.

It explained that the council is only responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the common areas of the garden as well as the public, the open gym, and the children’s playing field. 

The area with the broken fence forms part of the five-aside pitch which, according to the council, is property of the Lands Authority – so the Local Council has no control over it but it has still reported the issue “numerous times” to the authority.

“To our knowledge that huge block has been broken by the persons who are arranging this five-aside ground.”

“The council is trying to take action in the best possible way to find the person responsible and to remove the damage done because its one understands that its not that easy to remove such heavy material,” the council elaborated.

When speaking with the Lija mayor, he urged that the Local Council has a lot of respect and care for the down, explaining that they have just acquired funds to install CCTV, has implemented an open air gym, gave the area a gazebo, sorted out the irrigation system, and changed the swings for the children.

Meanwhile, Lovin Malta has reached out to the Lands Authority for comments on this issue. The newsroom is currently awaiting a response.

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