James Vella Clark wrote a well-balanced article, which I liked. It was a positive piece in which the author showed his love for Gozo. However, I do not think I am being condescending in my articles, which I base on personal know-ledge and experiences.

I agree that every administration contributed positively towards the well-being of the country and Gozo benefited to a certain degree. But to secure improvements in Gozo, there has to be political clout at the very top.

The late Ċensu Tabone and myself used to spend hours discussing Gozo and its affairs. With the backing of the four Gozitan MPs at the time – Anton Tabone, Carmelo Refalo, Ammabile Cauchi and Coronato Attard – we pressured then prime minister George Borg Oliver to entice GIE and Bluebell to set up shop in Gozo.

The Gozo Civic Council was initially also active in implementing the 1955 Thomas Balogh’s and Dudley Sears’ holistic master plan.

Three plans had been proposed for Mġarr Harbour. The Gozo Civic Council wanted the larger one but the Nationalist government had different ideas. Works were not finished by the time Labour was elected in 1971 and the new government opted for the smaller option, which time has shown to be inadequate.

I would prefer a much larger harbour. Also, one of the major projects for Gozo should have been a breakwater arm starting from the Ħondoq area and another at Xatt l-Aħmar area.

In the mid-1970s – early 1980s, the Mġarr harbour authorities had more than 120 requests for yacht berthing. Imagine if a very large yachting facility could be offered; how beneficial it would be for Gozo and its inhabitants, especially if work on yachts could be done there and a slipway and underground storage facilities provided.

Yacht owners could invest in properties and restaurateurs will surely benefit. Entertainment spots, of the sort that closed down years back, could well thrive again.

A cruise liner terminal will inject much-needed income for locals, even if occasionally.

Gozo’s share of tourism at present is humiliating. Tourists visiting Gozo in groups are being exploited, being charged €55-60 each and getting there as late as 11.15am returning to Malta on the 3.30pm ferry. They have to pay extra if they visit Dwejra and are taken to specific eateries for their meals, if one can call them so, most probably against a commission.

Gozo should be more aggressively promoted, selling the Maltese islands as consisting of Malta, Gozo and Comino. Thus people will, at least, start hearing of Gozo even before they get here.

The statistics office in Gozo is most welcome and the fibre cable project to Gozo is much needed.

The Prime Minister’s announcement that foreign investment is at last being enticed to Gozo is fantastic. Some pushing from the very top helps in this regard, also because the government is likely to have to assist financially when handling investment in Gozo.

There are various initiatives that could be taken with regard to Gozo: pharmaceutical; IT; government back office work; an office in Brussels; strong tourism promotion; the film industry; entertainment facilities; a runway extension to take small aircraft; archaeological projects; no overbuilding; stop abuse, especially by well-off barons... Not to mention farming, fisheries and related industries.

For those whose work remains in Malta, the only solution is a bridge or a tunnel.

There is adequate talent in Gozo to produce TV talk shows in which fresh voices, rather than the usual handful who tend to promote their own agenda, can air their views on the daily problems Gozitans encounter in their daily life. One thing I must emphasise is the need for Gozo to be given the necessary funds required for it to meet its requirements and improve. Often what is promised and declared is not what actually happens.

Gozo must be given the necessary funds for it to meet its requirements and improve

Truth is that 10 years from EU accession, the gap in terms of GDP between Malta and Gozo has widened. The Gozitans’ income is about €2,000 below that of those living in Malta, as figures just published clearly show.

Gozitans, of course, know this for, if not, how can one explain the fact that the Labour Party enjoys such a huge majority? It’s support is twice that of the conservative party and this in conservative Gozo, where Labour only had a majority in 1955.

There is then the crucial aspect of education, especially at the tertiary level. Full-time University courses in Gozo are a must. About 600 University students have applied to sit for their exams in Gozo when, in the past, some used to say this was not possible.

A medical school in Gozo will work wonders, I’m sure.

I do believe that where there is will, there is a way. So let us all hope for a better future. I firmly believe the Prime Minister truly has his eyes on Gozo and will do his utmost, as he has promised, to raise the standard of living and well-being of the Gozitan people.