Insistence and perseverance are a must if anyone wants to achieve an objective. Gozitans have, for years, been bemoaning the fact that their standard of living is inferior to that of the mainland. Furthermore, the Budget for 2013 does not contain any promises of a bright future.

This became so evident in a meeting held by the Minister of Finance with some Gozitans at the Kempinski Hotel recently.

After so many years in power, the present Administration should have been able to raise the standard of living of Gozitans. Yet, the GDP is, more or less, what it was in 2000.

Work prospects are nil. Tourism for Gozo is never advertised so the industry is unstable. Investments are non-existent. Valid projects are lacking except for the Citadel rejuvenation.

At the Kempinski meeting, it became quite evident that the present Administration lacks any vision on how to improve Gozo. What was proposed by the Minister of Finance at the meeting were just the following three points:

That the Budget will address the licensing system of apartments offered for rent in Gozo.

Extend the renewable energy scheme for Gozitans and entrepreneurs. Open a childcare centre.

Will these three issues solve Gozo’s problems? Where are the think-tank experts that our country boasts of?

What about the creation of jobs in industry, enterprise, health, new policies regarding access to higher education/courses in Gozo, tourism, projects, communication between Malta International Airport and Gozo, Gozo Channel offering better fares to Maltese and foreigners, hi-tech industries, the overall infrastructure...?

How about having offices around Europe with the specific aim of promoting Gozo and work enhancement?

None of these issues were addressed by the minister. Which leaves us with only the three options mentioned above. But is this what we citizens of Gozo deserve?

The Gozitans believe that the central authorities only keep Gozo in mind when an election approaches to get votes.

Instead of Gozo becoming a regional island, as promised prior to Malta’s accession to the EU, with a view of obtaining more resources (NUTS 1 status), Gozo has instead become marginalised more than ever.

At the Kempinski meeting, the minister was very short in his views regarding general betterment for Gozo.

I feel insulted that the Administration should hold a meeting on the Budget in the form of a question-and-answer session. The well-paid think-tanks should have made feasibility studies regarding the special needs of Gozo. They should have come up with suggestions on where should Gozo be heading and how to get there.

How is it that this Administration never published the Gozo Plan, which was mentioned so much in past years, or the Eco-Plan that is being raised so often.

Does the Malta Financial Services Authority have a vision on how to attract business to Gozo? I do believe that there are capable persons there who think this is possible. However, I also firmly believe that these are hindered in implementing such policy.

Gozo and the Gozitans deserve better. Elected politicians should be more vocal in bringing to the fore the dire situation Gozo is in. This, especially, when Gozo has two ministers, which in itself should help Gozo make a lot of headway. Yet, this powerful clout is not being used, to the detriment of Gozo and its inhabitants.

The present Administration is not only being seen as tired and lacking innovative ideas but has also lost its sense of direction, if one were to judge by the outcome of conference held at the Kempinski.

I had written this article before the Budget was announced but I still prefer to have it published it as it is for the simple reason that what I predicted weeks before the Budget presentation has proved me right in more ways than one.

The Budget has no will to improve things, lacks vision and makes no plans for any infrastructural projects that would benefit Gozo and its people in the future.

To promote Gozo among the Maltese between November and February (the winter months) by offering a special Gozo Channel fare for those who spend a night in a licensed place in Gozo, once confirmation is produced, is a farce.

Another farce and a disgrace involves the Farmers Cooperative, which does not enjoy free passage on board Gozo Channel ferries as individual farmers do.

Job prospects were nil.

Allocating €500,000 for 2013 to promote Gozo across the world is another gimmick. When promoting its multiple carnival colours, Air Malta only entices customers to visit “Malta”. How about changing the advert to speak of “The Maltese Islands” rather than Malta only?

This Budget also divides the population in sections. This emulates the British system of divide and rule. One small section of the people can enjoy the good life while the rest, those with a lower income, get nothing and will have to wait their turn, whenever that comes.

I hope that whoever gets elected in the next election will come up with a serious and carefully-drafted plan for Gozo – and not just whitewash – that promotes valid and sound projects that will, ultimately, bring the Gozitans’ standard of living at par with that of those living on the mainland. At present, the GDP of Gozitans stands at about 71 per cent of their brothers and sisters in Malta.

Shame on the authorities that left Gozo and the Gozitans in such dire conditions with no hope of a better future.

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