Gozitans usually benefit from government decisions that are meant to affect the whole country and the people in general. However, projects aimed specifically at Gozo are very rare. Indeed, I can only recall two such instances... with a third having just been announced.

The first major project that led to a radical change in Gozitans’ way of living was the introduction of the Xewkija industrial estate by the Nationalist government in early 1971.

Credit must be given to the Gozo Council and, mainly, to Vincent Tabone who, behind the scenes, led the four Gozitan MPs to press the government to implement the project.

Till then there were no work opportunities in Gozo, especially in the case of women. At the time, government policies only regarded the male as the family bread winner.

The factories at the Xewkija industrial estate raised fresh hopes of a steady financial income for Gozitans and made a very positive social contribution.

The second major decision that greatly affected the Gozitan way of life and boosted work opportunities was when Gozo Channel introduced a 24-hour service, something I had personally insisted on.

This development opened up the door for Gozitans to return home after work in Malta and others could seek employment, promotions or better opportunities in Malta.

Previously, the last ferry service was operated at 4.45 p.m. and at 5.30 p.m. on Fridays.

This meant that Gozitan workers in Malta had to remain there for the whole week and were only able to return on the weekend, weather permitting.

There was no longer the need to charter a ferry when holding special activities in Gozo, say a trade fair or political meetings.

Also, restaurants and business in general in Gozo benefited as the Maltese (who definitely and by far are the better tourist for Gozo) started crossing over even for an outing or a meal.

A fourth project that is still missing is the introduction of a tunnel or bridge

Gozitan youths had the opportunity to frequent entertainment spots in Malta over the weekend.

Gozo Channel, it bears recalling, had also successfully introduced a service to Catania, which financially supported the Mġarr – Sa Maison run. Pity Gozo Channel Co. opted or was induced by authorities to cede it to the private give that it gave it a good financial return.

The latest major project I referred to earlier is, of course, the one announced just a few days ago about the medical university being planned for Gozo.

In my view, when this venture takes off it will open further numerous opportunity doors for Gozitans in Gozo itself.

The multiplier effect of this project is huge. House rentals will multiply. Entertainment facilities and restaurants will have tremendous prospects. Tourism in Gozo will increase by leaps and bounds, in sharp contrast with the situation now when foreign tourists only spend the day there, arriving at about 11am and departing at 3.30pm. Not much of a stay, in fact, I think it is exploitation of tourists.

Close relatives and family members and friends of foreign students studying in Gozo will, no doubt, visit. Some of them may even opt to buy property to reside there.

Work opportunities will open in great numbers for Gozitans. Career openings for locals can be made available. Therefore, a brighter future for our youths is on the horizon.

But there is a fourth project that is still missing and which the majority of Gozitans, especially those wanting to further their career, long for. What I am referring to is, of course, the introduction of a tunnel or bridge.

This idea was first mooted in the 1960s and, in the early 1970s, the Labour government had brought over Chinese and Japanese experts to do feasibility studies on both a bridge and a tunnel.

I am truly surprised that no administration revisited these reports before commissioning other experts to carry out the same feasibility studies.

In 1987, the Labour Party had proposed in its electoral programme that there should be a referendum among the Gozitans about such a project.

Labour had not re-elected and the Nationalist administration had discarded the project until Franco Mercieca brought it back on the political agenda. Then, Chris Said somehow tried to inject his views on the matter as if he had been promoting it.

This is the fourth project I strongly believe will finally manage to put the Gozitans on an equal footing and on a par with their brothers and sisters living on the mainland.

Lino Debono is a former Labour MP.

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