‘We could have done better’ Robert Abela says on Ta’ Qali picnic area grass
On Sunday, the Prime Minister said that he was not expecting grass to grow there in the coming months
Updated 4.20 pm with Momentum's reaction
Robert Abela admitted on Sunday that the government “could have done better” when answering questions about the Ta’ Qali picnic area.
Abela was speaking as the picnic area, which is usually lush with green grass this time of year, remains barren following an intervention that saw gravel placed on the site.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister said that he was not expecting grass to grow there in the coming months.
“We have to be honest with people – it could be better. We have appointed a local expert, who advised us that while grass will not grow for now, it will in future with some intervention.”
That intervention will not mean removing the gravel, but incorporating it into the soil with some tilling.
During an hour-long interview, Abela said that the picnic area will not see the grass grow in January and February, and neither in the spring, partly because of the concerts expected to take place there.
Until last month, the minister responsible, Chris Bonett, defended the decision, telling Times of Malta he had been advised that the gravel laid at the picnic area was expected to deliver the intended results.
However, he had said there would be no shame in acknowledging if it did not.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister, Robert Abela, was clearer about the picnic area but praised the Ta’ Qali park as a whole.
He said that he and his team have gotten personally involved in the picnic area.
Abela said that Jason Micallef and his team had done "great work" with the national park, saying Ta’ Qali is Malta’s most beautiful park.
“We were brilliant in that whole project, but in this part (the picnic area), we could have been better.”
Abela was not asked about the controversy around the €311,000 direct order for the Ta Qali gravel.
Momentum: 'PM is backing Jason Micallef instead of the people'
In a statement centrist party Momentum said the Prime Minister's comments acknowledge that the initiative has not delivered what was promised.
"After months of assurances that the project would succeed, the Prime Minister has now admitted that the public should not expect grass to grow in the coming months," they said.
They pointed to Abela's statements that because the area will be used for concerts from March onwards- any attempts to remedy the park will be after that.
"This means Maltese families will have been deprived of the use of a key public recreational space for well over a year, at least until late 2026, due to decisions taken without proper planning or foresight".
Momentum also pointed to the Prime Minister’s decision "to continue backing Jason Micallef despite his poor performance and the misleading statements made in relation to this project". This reflects a troubling pattern where political loyalty is placed above competence, accountability, and the public interest".