Reviving regionality

The regionality of Gozo, promised and proclaimed with great pomp by the Nationalist government before Malta's accession to the European Union, was smashed to smithereens by the Electoral Commission.

On July 26, the commission, made up of four members selected by the government and another four chosen by the Opposition, decided to ignore the regionality of Gozo as supposedly entrenched in Malta's accession treaty to the EU. Ghajnsielem, with its 2,000 voters, was dismembered from Gozo, the 13th electoral district, transported across the Gozo-Malta channel to Malta and annexed to the 12th district, stretching from Mellieha to Naxxar.

This columnist had then commented that the commission had "vilified Gozo and humiliated the Gozitans." And that "the Commission, through its decision, has succeeded to shatter the unity of the island. It has made a parody of the regionality of Gozo supposedly entrenched in Malta's accession treaty to the EU."

It was therefore with great relief that we learned that at the end of its general council earlier this month the Nationalist Party unanimously approved a motion to undo this anomaly.

The Nationalist Party has decided to move a motion in Parliament to entrench the regionality of Gozo in the Constitution. When this happens, although the number of voters in Gozo surpassed the threshold laid down by the Constitution, Gozo will still be considered a separate entity.

This has been suggested by members of the three political parties from the start. It is beyond comprehension that this entrenchment was postponed till after the Electoral Commission's decision. If this regionality is entrenched, the Commission would have to begin its work from scratch.

This "if" is not insignificant. The Nationalist Party in government has decided in favour of Gozitan wishes. However, this is not enough, as such an entrenchment needs a two-thirds majority. The Opposition has to support the government's proposal for this to be approved.

The Labour MPs elected from Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo and Dr Justyne Caruana, have already publicly stated that they agree with such a proposal. At the same time, however, they emphasised that this was their personal view and not the party's.

This could mean that some Labour MPs are not completely convinced. It is hoped that the two lawyers will go out of their way to convince these doubting Thomases that this is the wish of Gozitans of all political pesuasions.

The motion moved by the Nationalist Party Committee in Gozo included many other valid points. It demonstrated that the party is aware that, despite past achievements in the island, it cannot and should not rest on its laurels. It was pointed out that Gozo's economic potential is underestimated. Among the points to ponder are the need to develop the science of informatics in Gozo, a development that would reduce the disadvantages brought about by the double insularity of the Gozitans.

An appeal was also made to the Malta Tourism Authority to be more original and specific in its publicity for Gozo as a separate destination. More promotion is needed for international conferences which are entirely unheard of in Gozo.

The government should indeed provide incentives to hotels to invest in facilities for the holding of conferences. That is, it goes without saying, if no more hotels in Gozo are closed down.

Gozo should be given its due and without delay, otherwise the clock goes back to the pre-1987 situation.