Let Gozitans have a say

In their budgets, governments have always classified Gozo as being dedicated to fishing and agriculture. That’s all. Capital expenditure for the island has hovered at about one per cent of the total expenditure allocations. Gozo has now been declared an eco-island and capital expenditure has gone up a bit.

If one removes the roughly 5,600 Maltese IDs from Gozo, the population is less than in the 1950s and 1960s, when emigration was rampant. The population of Gozo is less than 25,000. It is aging and the young are leaving. I believe that over 40 to 50 per cent of Gozitans are over 60 years of age. If nothing is done, in 20 years’ time Gozo will become an old-age institute.

The GDP per capita is lower in Gozo than in Malta. Prospects for employment are almost nil. The future definitely does not look bright. When the country joined the European Union, many believed that Gozo’s future would be one of greater prosperity. This has not materialised. Instead the standard of living is regressing. This definitely does not paint a bright future for the island and its inhabitants. The feel-good factor is non-existent.

Recently it was announced that the subsidies to Gozo Channel would be reduced from €5 million to €1 million. The balance of profit by the company was announced to be of €2 million. Thus, if the same revenue occurs, the company will be €3 million under. This does not make much sense, especially in business terms. I wrote an article once stating that in similar circumstances in the Shetland Islands, a ferry company in a similar situation received a £30 million grant from the EU.

Gozo needs people to cross over to stimulate the economy so I have always believed that all travellers, whether Maltese or tourists, should pay the same as Gozitans do to use the ferry. The more consumers cross, the more revenue. The beneficiaries will be both Gozo and the government.

If Gozo fulfils its brief to become an eco-island, future benefits can be reaped. But Gozitans will not live on an island being kept rural unless jobs are created at the same time.

Gozo has always been left behind by various administrations. Therefore initiatives have to be taken to remedy this unfortunate and miserable situation. Apart from the Citadel, the Roman Villa in Ramla as well as the Borg Għarib monolithic temple can easily be excavated and renovated, for example. All three are jewels in historical value.

Whenever an article is written by a Gozitan regarding the existing dire situation, the comments that follow are not very becoming of the people who make them. Some talk of giving Gozo independence, others question why the Gozitans are subsidised, and so on. Are Gozitans and Gozo part of the Maltese islands or what?

Gozo and its inhabitants are feeling very marginalised and with good reason. Income per capita is less than the average but especially, there are no prospects for a brighter future. But whenever somebody comments on anything regarding Gozo it’s like being a voice in the wilderness. Many wonderful speeches and promises are made but few are implemented.

Gozo and the Gozitans have no voice. The only radio station located in Gozo is no more. Hardly any Gozitans have their aspirations heard over the airwaves. The Gozitan view is not reaching the rest of the population. How then can the people judge and sympathise with our cry for a better life and a brighter future?