Gozitans yesterday welcomed the proposed tunnel to connect the islands, some even calling for a referendum among them to show exactly where Gozo stands on the issue and quash any doubt about its need.

They were attending a public dialogue on the proposed link at the Grand Hotel in Mġarr, where Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said continued to stimulate the discussion he has managed to put on the government’s agenda.

Transport Malta will be conducting a detailed study on the proposal to build a three-lane tunnel across the channel and provide a clear picture of the situation.

During the meeting, aimed at feeling their pulse on the construction of a permanent link, it was highlighted that the matter primarily concerned Gozitans and that they should have the strongest say.

Gozitan organisations pledged their full support, some having already set up subcommittees to focus on the issue in the couple of weeks since the ball got rolling after Gozitan businessman Joseph Borg made a public mention of in the presence of the Prime Minister.

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU was also present to confirm its support and has also set up a subcommittee, while the Gozo Tourism Association last week conducted a survey that showed an “overwhelming” 90 per cent of its members were in favour of the tunnel.

Economists, students and even Maltese, who live in Gozo and work in Malta, joined the discussion, projecting their views as to why the tunnel should go ahead, citing the suffering they underwent to commute to the neighbouring island to earn a living and other economic considerations.

Some felt the project should go ahead irrespective of its cost and cautioned against money being the priority – a point that was echoed by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

Dr Said, who stepped up the momentum on an issue that has been in the pipeline for decades when he recently called on the government to commission an assessment, stressed the importance of a feasibility study, insisting that, based on the examples of other countries, such tunnels were the “best solution”.

He stood by the estimated cost of €150 million, in spite of comments by former Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett, who put a €500 million price tag on the project.

Dr Said maintained the expert studies would tell, but he gave examples of tunnels in Nordic countries and their costs, including Norway’s Eiksund, which was built in 2008 at a depth of 287 metres beneath the seabed, as opposed to the proposed 50 to 100 metres, and cost €108 million.

Three parallel tunnels in China, six kilometres long, unhindered even by sand, were inaugurated last week to the tune of about €300 million, he said, pointing out that Malta would only have one.

Dr Said invited the public to search the Internet for similarprojects and see for themselves how they were carried out, their cost and impact on the economies and lives on islands that were being linked by tunnels to the mainland.

He called for an informed debate and urged Gozitans to voice their views, because ultimately, it was their issue.

Fears that Gozo would lose its characteristic charm would also be considered, however Dr Said insisted that would only come about through bad planning decisions that had nothing to do with the link.

Gozo “is not a crib of statues”, he said, highlighting the exodus it was experiencing, leaving behind an ageing population.

As regards timeframes, Dr Said expected that once it was decided the tunnel should be built, following the study, works should start straightaway.

The Gozo Minister said investment in good services and short-term strategies for the island would not be put on hold due to the tunnel project and that the Prime Minister has assured her works on the Ċirkewwa terminal would take on an even faster rhythm.

The study, she said, should also consider other options to be sure the final decision was the right one.