Planning Gozo's future together

I wonder whether there is a democracy like ours anywhere else in the world. Where else are people invited to a meeting with their Prime Minister to give him and his government ideas on how to spend money, whether it is in the annual budget or, more importantly, as an investment in the island's future?

Last Friday evening in Gozo all roads led to Qala. About 200 people attended a dialogue meeting with Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi whose purpose there was to listen rather than to address the public. It was noticeable that many of the speakers who put forward their suggestions to the Prime Minister were there as representatives of pressure groups and NGOs, hence their presence was more significant.

The main purpose of the meeting was for Gozitans to express their preferences as to how the 10 per cent of EU funding for the period 2007-2013 specifically earmarked for Gozo is to be spent. I counted about 30 separate interventions from individuals with a marked absence of selfish interests in the proposals presented.

There were so many proposals that a lady stood up and asked the Prime Minister whether Malta will be getting €805 billion rather than €805 million! The Prime Minister smiled. Many of the speakers acknowledged the great progress that has already been achieved in Gozo but progress widens expectations.

The meeting was also an exercise in accountability. A power-point presentation illustrated vividly how €14.87 million euros have already been spent in Gozo or are being spent at present in projects funded through the EU Structural Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Pre-Accession Fund. These projects involve upgrading of infrastructure related to tourism facilities, roads, cultural heritage, waste-water disposal and the development of human resources aimed at improving employability.

There were many valid suggestions from the enthusiastic public - an all-round improvement of sporting activities such as the development of the race course into an all-sporting event venue, the embellishment of the coast from Marsalforn to Qbajjar, multi-storey car parks in Victoria... There was emphasis on the human factor - the Gozitan patient who has to travel daily to Malta for chemotherapy, the disabled who still find obstacles in accessing historical sites, the plight of the elderly and the effects of climate change on inhabitants of small islands.

The Prime Minister listened, his staff took notes, people were encouraged to write in with their suggestions. Democracy at work.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister shared his concern about the disabled. His track record in the field speaks for itself. He was pleased with the importance given to education and human resources during the dialogue meeting. In encouraging NGOs and other organisations to participate fully in EU programmes, he gave practical advice on how to make up for the shortfall in the money needed to fund projects. Setting up partnerships with commercial enterprises should do the trick.

Several Gozo local councils have given an example of how our membership of the EU can be fully exploited. Those of Qala, Gharb and San Lawrenz stand out. Gharb council managed to garner €200,000 to embellish one of the most beautiful areas in Gozo - Wied Mielah. The project, when finished, would have cost Lm86,000, of which the council forked out 27 per cent of the total cost.

There was satisfaction all round. The people had their say, the Prime Minister listened and took note. Democracy had a good day.

Is this the way to do serious politics in Malta and Gozo? I think so. For a Gozitan to go home after such a meeting feeling proud that he had made a contribution towards the building of the future of his small island is a great satisfaction in itself. When the future becomes reality there will be many Gozitans who would rightly claim that they had a hand in it. Thanks to a Prime Minister who believes in listening, before making important decisions that affect the future of all of us.