Projects to implement in Gozo

The announcement that, in the coming days, the Government will be issuing a call for expressions of interest for the Mġarr cruise terminal and yacht marina project is more than welcome.

Gozo is lacking behind in several aspects

In my humble opinion, it will take years to harvest the fruits of this investment and to see a direct injection into the Gozo economy. In other words, though it will definitely make a positive contribution to the Gozitans’ well-being, this will not happen in the short term.

On the other hand, the lease agreement between the Church and the Gozo Ministry regarding St Joseph Home in Għajnsielem will surely serve to improve the situation in Gozo with regard to the aged population, which has reached a critical point.

Yet, this is but an initial step in the right direction.

Gozo has a registered population of 31,000 including 28,000 who are eligible to vote. Thus, those under 18 only number about 3,000.

Senior citizens make up most of the island’s population.

In their hour of need, these senior citizens can, so far, only turn to a single government facility serving as an old people’s home.

This is the place known as Sant’ Anna at the General Hospital. It has two sections: one for females and the other for males. Both wards are full to the brim and an incoming patient has to wait for someone to leave this world to find a place there.

But the most cruel and heartbreaking aspect is that when two persons who had been living together for so many years move in, they are separated, the female being directed to the women’s ward and her mate to the male one.

Thus, when in old age a couple needs the companionship of each other, the state in Gozo separates them.

Nothing could be more cruel and inhumane than this. This separation creates an atmosphere of helplessness, risking one seeing no further scope why to live.

Thus, the agreement between the Church and the Government was morally essential.

Other similar agreements can be achieved. For example, years ago, two spinsters in Nadur bequeathed a house precisely with the aim of it being used as a home for the elderly. Yet, the property has been lying abandoned and derelict ever since. I strongly suggest that an agreement similar to the one on Għajnsielem Home is signed in this case too.

Furthermore, the Gozo administration has to take meaningful and immediate action with regard to community houses for elderly couples.

Plenty of properties are available. Several organisations insist there are over 75,000 vacant properties. Who knows? The revision of property regulations for foreigners will definitely help in this issue.

Childcare centres are a must too. The central administration does not seem to give too much thought to this.

Yet, the project can be taken in hand immediately because there is enough space in several government schools.

Gozo is lacking behind in several aspects that have long been implemented on the mainland. Such childcare centres can be established in a short period of time.

The Administration is saying that the country has to implement certain projects or risk losing over €200 million in EU funds. It is asking for ideas regarding initiatives, including in Gozo.

I always questioned the €100 million investment mentioned by the previous Administration.

I always wondered how this amount could be spent on Gozo when only €285 million had actually come from the EU. Thus, once the Administration is asking for ideas on major projects, I would like to make some suggestions.

There is the old town in the Citadel where excavation can take place. Examination of old Citadel maps can lead to old forgotten tunnels.

Work on the coastal road, which had started in the late 1950s/early 1960s, could continue.

Walking tours could be held in Gozo.

The re-excavation of the Roman villa in Ramla Bay is another project that can be taken in hand. Excavations had taken place there in the 1900s but the place was then reburied because of robberies.

The Borg Għarib area, which some say dates back to Ġgantija Temples, which area is being threatened by waste dumping, also needs to be seen to.

There are so many projects relating to Gozo’s history that one can implement. These would surely attract more tourists.

I believe that where there is a will, there is a way.

All that’s needed is common sense and imagination to determine and decide on which projects can be implemented immediately and which are of a long-term nature.

We have just heard about the money that went missing at Gozo Channel (10 people have been arraigned, nine of them pleading guilty to theft).

There have been reports of passengers’ items going missing. Such frequent thefts should be investigated too.

Laptops, mobile phones, handbags and other personal belongings left unattended even for a few seconds, disappeared.

Why should these things be happening? What sort of security is provided to passengers and their belongings?

Has this issue been resolved now? A reply would be most welcome.