I recently listened to a live discussion on RTK about the proposed physical link between Gozo and Malta. I am against any link that would impinge, or, worse, destroy the particular characteristics that give Gozo its distinctiveness in the Maltese archipelago.

I am in favour of other forms of transport that would improve and enhance the accessibility of the island. For example, I support the reintroduction of the fast service that Gozo enjoyed during the early 1990s by means of two catamarans which used to ferry between Mġarr and Valletta in merely 30 minutes.

The focal point is Gozo’s separation from Malta. Gozo’s insularity is a handicap that unfortunately creates several disadvantages.

In my opinion, insularity can be a stimulus as much as it can be a handicap, particularly for those who are ready to face and overcome the challenges it presents.

Were it not for the courage, determination and steadfastness of such people who took up the challenges, Gozo would not have its diocese, its ministry, its particular vote in the national Budget, a member of the Cabinet, its law courts, its hospital, its University campus and several other public services. Furthermore, Gozo would not have been allocated 10 per cent of Malta’s structural funds of the EU. So its insularity was and still is the prime factor that makes Gozo a particular, relevant island region.

Gozitan Labour MP Franco Mercieca said during the discussion on RTK that the public expenditure being invested in Gozo would, as a result of a link, be considerably reduced as the problem of insularity would then be eradicated.

The link would provide an easy access not for new investments and new jobs for the unemployed in Gozo but for the Gozitans to take up jobs in Malta. Mercieca, who supports the physical link strangely enough for these two reasons, is also convinced that the project would not be taken up by the government but by private enterprise and sees nothing wrong or strange for investors to introduce hefty fares.

A friend of mine recently suggested that instead of physically linking Gozo to Malta, greater efforts should be made to wisely invest the money earmarked for the link in the region so that new jobs and other opportunities be created in Gozo for the Gozitans. Not a bad idea at all.

That’s what Gozo and Gozitans really need.