Watch: Miscommunication sparked Ta’ Qali gravel controversy, PM says

The controversy surrounding the gravel that was laid on the ground in Ta’ Qali’s picnic area could have been avoided if the use of this gravel had been communicated better earlier, Prime Minister Robert Abela said.

An online petition, lodged by youth-led organisation Vuċi Kollettiva six days ago, calling for the gravel to be removed, has amassed almost 6,000 signatures.

Jason Micallef, head of the Ta’ Qali National Park Unit at the Public Works Ministry, previously explained that the gravel had been laid on the ground to prevent parched soil from turning into dust.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Abela gave a quick comment dismissing the petitioners' concerns by referring people to Micallef’s explanation, calling it “balanced and factual”.

“It would be better if someone explained these matters beforehand, because what could be seen as controversial can be anticipated and avoided if there is an objective explanation,” Abela said.

Abela said that if a similar situation were to arise in the future, it should be communicated more clearly.

People who have signed the petition are arguing that the gravel has made it “hard, unsafe, and uncomfortable for children, pets, and families who have long enjoyed this space”.

Vuċi Kollettiva has also organised a protest at the picnic site to be held on Saturday.

Micallef has branded the issue as “fake news” and has dismissed concerns about the site as “nonsense”, insisting the picnic area was never covered in grass in the height of summer.

The PN has also weighed in on the debate, describing the popular spot as having been “stripped of its greenery and left bare" and the gravel as a “careless and amateurish solution”, instead advocating the use of mulch.