Franco J. Scicluna, Victoria
Gozo must have full accessibility
The news that Gozo is to have a €4.4 million card manufacturing plant is indeed welcome news. The island needs such investments, and other economic ventures, to help it overcome the disadvantages of double insularity.
The government should strive to attract similar projects to Gozo which are crucial to the island's economy, which depends on tourism, small and medium-size enterprises and agriculture.
The situation on the island is far from rosy. It suffers greatly from seasonality. While in Malta the number of gainfully employed seems to be stable, it is not so in Gozo, where unemployment is rising.
For Gozo to be able to stand on its own two feet, it needs accessibility by sea and air. It needs better roads, and a modern infrastructure. The laying of two stretches of road from Mġarr to the end of Għajnsielem and from Victoria to Għarb is commendable, but there are several others, such as the Victoria-Xlendi road, that need serious attention. A ring road round the island's main town is imperative.
Tourism is Gozo's mainstay. Although we have been repeatedly promised that cruise liners will be visiting the island, nothing has yet been done to provide a proper mooring place for them, after spending three years contemplating putting up a mooring buoy. The air link has been suspended since 2006. The seaplane service, though useful, has its limitations, and cannot be operated round the clock, for obvious reasons. The air service must be taken seriously if we are to attract upmarket tourists and top industrialists to the island.
A proper air service would have many beneficial effects and stimulate the Gozitan economy. The long defunct helicopter service must be replaced with a service using fixed-wing aircraft, carrying at least 20 passengers, baggage and all from Gozo, direct to Malta International Airport.
The idea that such an airstrip would cause pollution, noise, and other risks to the environment is totally unfounded - one has only to look at Roy Perry's presentation on how an airstrip would look like to get a good idea. The heavy commercial vehicles that roam the island at will, belching smoke and toxic fumes are responsible for the sorry state of the island.
I strongly appeal to the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Business Chamber and others, who would like to see Gozo face the new year with hope and courage, to do their utmost, collectively, to see to it that Gozo's needs are served.
One hopes that the new year will persuade the authorities to look into Gozo's sorry plight , and forget the usual rhetoric of a few projects already done here after a long wait.
The 2009 budget contains very few new items concerning Gozo, and most of them have been promised for years.
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James A. Tyrrell
Dec 15th 2008, 21:23
Mr. Perry I don't doubt for one minute that you have the interests of Gozo close to your heart but can't you see that causing further destruction to the island as an airstrip would do is against those interests?
You say that, 'Only the Gozitans can know and care about the slow decline in Tourism' which is wrong. I'm not a Gozitan although I would have been proud to have been born with that honour. I'm a tourist who has been coming back to the island for years and hopefully will continue to do so. If there is a decline in tourism it is certainly not due to the lack of an airstrip. How often do you read letters from tourists begging for an airstrip to be built?
I believe you are right that tourism is in decline on Gozo and it will be worse this year due to the financial situation. However the main reason for the decline as you will see by reading back issues of the Times amongst others is the over development of the island. Tourists love the peace and quiet of Gozo that’s why we go there. That's how it should stay.
Roy Perry
Dec 15th 2008, 14:29
To quote a famous tennis player,
'You cannot be serious'
Are the maltese so frightened by threats from un-named military threats?
First, the airstrip should be built so it CANNOT be extended.
Second, are we not getting the whole idea out of hand?
Go to http://gozoairstrip.blogspot.com
lgalea
Dec 15th 2008, 07:46
Roy Perry
Getting Għawdex on its own feet has absolutely nothing to do with an airstrip.
Would I dare say that there may be hidden foreign military instigation so that the airstrip will then be lengthened to be used for military purposes seeing that Għawdex is much more quieter and has less "eyes" than Malta?
If there is such a great need for better communication between the islands, why not make a bridge between Malta - Kemmuna - Għawdex which will be available in all types of weather, will provide work for Maltese workers and will be a feature between the islands?
Roy Perry
Dec 14th 2008, 20:56
To James and others. Only the Gozitans can know and care about the slow decline in Tourism and other industries that are failing. The Maltese cannot be expected to understand something that has been happening for 8 years, something which has been exacipated by the loss of the Helicopter service.
Franco and I are both in our 70's and have seen the way things are done to help local and regional communities abroad. Neither of us have anything to gain from our observations, just a love for the island and its people.
Is it not better for the island to be able to stand on its own feet rather than be an increasing burden on the Maltese Exchequer?
Do the residents of Mellieha and the Transport Minister think that the suggested diversion of the road at Ghadira Beach will benefit travellers to Gozo - or cause major disruption during its construction?
What is needed is a concerned and combined lobby group to ensure that funds allocated for development in Gozo are spent. At the moment this is not the case.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 14th 2008, 19:25
@lgalea. That's exactly the question I was asking myself. Why is it that on a regular basis people are writing to the papers begging for an airstrip to be built on Gozo so that tourists can have direct access to the island from the airport on Malta? What interest does Franco J. Scicluna or Roy Perry have in such a project?
I come to Gozo every year. When the helicopter service was in operation I used it. If this service were brought back I would use it again. If someone decides to build an airstrip and launch a fixed wing service to the island I will never use it, will campaign against it and hopefully they will quickly lose all their investment and close down.
Tourists like myself come to Gozo for the peace and quiet. That is the charm of the island. In order to preserve that charm we are more than willing to 'endure' the 25 minute ferry crossing, something which I have to say I find a very relaxing way to start and end my holiday. Leave the island alone!
lgalea
Dec 14th 2008, 14:00
Who is pulling the strings for certain persons to write in favour of Gozo airfield?
salvu gatt
Dec 14th 2008, 13:46
dear Franco, I agree with most things you said,most of the big heavy commercial vehicles carrying tons of building stones and rocks do a lot of damage to our roads and nobody gives a damn about it,but for the helicopter or fixed wings Gozo doesn`t need them what Gozo needs is a good damn bridge, so that rain or shine one can always cross over without waiting in cues, and a bridge by itself will be a nice site seeing experiance like when we go to other countries enjoy passing over bridges and marvel at the scenery.
Franco Farrugia
Dec 14th 2008, 09:52
Dangerous! Very dangerous! Slippery slope, this!!!!!
'A proper air service would have many beneficial effects and stimulate the Gozitan economy.'
Is this what is needed for Gozo to prosper? A proper air field? On how many fields is it going to be built? How much arable land is it going to cover forever?
Dear Gozitans, do not be further blinded by money, money, money! Keep your own. Keep what is most precious to you and to the Maltese in general - your island's natural beauty. It is a shame that people with hidden agendas - basically money-making! - are taking over the soul of the island.