People should appreciate our democratic system that provides for elections and alternative administrations. The saying that a new broom sweeps clean can certainly be said of the present government. There is breath of fresh air and multiple and innovative decisions are being taken on a daily basis.
The islands’ economical and financial aspects have taken a positive turn. New initiatives have been announced in the educational and medical fields. These projects should be another major breakthrough that builds upon the achievements of previous administrations.
People are not bothered by who or which administration has established new paths for our economy. With time, they only consider the good that emerges from successive budgets.
I admire the saying of the late US President John F. Kennedy: “It’s not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” – and find that this can be applied to many people.
As this Budget addresses numerous aspects affecting people, I would like to refer to those that will most affect the future of Gozo and Gozitans, as well as their general future financial prospects.
Gozo is cut off from the rest of the world. It has no port or airport and the only connectivity with the outside world is through Gozo Channel. Although the service is good, it is still lacking in many respects especially for those working in Malta, or when travelling abroad or going to Mater Dei Hospital. When going abroad, one is never certain of boarding a ferry in time due to the high traffic in the morning, and therefore the option is to stop overnight in Malta if you need to catch an early flight.
Daily travel to Malta by workers and students is a time consuming affair. One can travel to mainland Europe faster than from Valletta to Gozo. So yes, this is a major problem. Gozo is losing its best brains with its youths settling in Malta and marrying locals from there. Nowadays parents are also moving home to Malta in order to live near their children. Gozo is slowly becoming an old people’s home.
So one can imagine the importance of connectivity between Gozo and Malta. This project is of utmost importance and urgently needed.
In the late 1950s, a certain Vella Gaffiero, a Maltese living mostly in Gozo, had initiated the idea of improving connectivity between the islands. He also designed a bridge which he exhibited in the Banca Giuratale and the Duke Hotel for many months. In the early 1970s the Labour government had appointed Chinese and Japanese entities to submit studies on establishing a link by means of a bridge or tunnel.
A tunnel, if and when it is started, will be most welcome. Some Gozitans are suggesting that apart from providing for traffic, the tunnel should also include an underground rail track.
This rail can in the future be possibly connected to a system of underground railroad in Malta. Entrepreneur Anglu’s Xuereb’s idea may become a reality.
If ever the idea of a tunnel is implemented one day, then the Gozitans can finally say that their island is connected to the outside world.
This government’s hospital project will be essential to Gozo in general as it will bring better health facilities and services that are missing today. Foreign patients will not only bring with them financial capital but accompanying visitors who would greatly expand the rental, hotels, catering and transport sectors.
What I believe must be done by the administration is to really explain the plans to one and all, and especially to workers, not through media statements but by personally crossing over to answer people’s questions. There are rumours in Gozo that the hospital will be divided in two. If this is true, then more explanations are called for.
I have been suggesting this and harassing political exponents but so far to no avail. This must be done. After all, Gozitan workers too have a vote and are important citizens.
Apart from Gozitans enjoying the Budget benefits in social services and pensions, among other sectors, there are other benefits targeting only Gozitans. The additional €300 benefit for students to cover some of their costs is a most welcome measure.
The airport study is also another means to achieving better connectivity.
The digital hub inside the MMU complex, also serving the film industry, is another positive. However, missing from the Budget were, surprisingly, the fibre optic cable and the Gozo backup office in Brussels to promote Gozo affairs.
The government said it would study the submission proposed for a cruise liner terminal and yacht marina. My idea would be to create two arms, one starting at an area before one reaches Ħondoq ir-Rummien area and a corresponding one near the Xatt l-Aħmar area.
This project could extend to the Mġarr harbour which is small for present-day traffic, creating hundreds of yacht facilities and berths, even for super yachts, even as Gozo benefits from a cruise liner terminal.
Through this project Gozo would become a real hub and, when taking into account the hospital and other projects, its GDP would explode. This would even reverse the movement of workers from Gozo to Malta and see Maltese workers crossing over to Gozo for work.
I would also suggest that the tourism authorities promote Gozo as a destination in its own right, so visitors would get to know about the island before they plan their holidays.
Regarding culture, I noted that work on the Citadel is being concluded when much more archaeological excavations are still required. If renovated, these sites could be an added attraction.
The aqueduct restoration is very welcome as is the creation of a new museum. Many artefacts discovered in Gozo had been taken to Malta over the years and one asks if these will be returned to this museum.
All in all, this Budget is positive for our general well-being. Our democratic system, through all its parliamentary members, has over time managed to create a better Malta and Gozo for its citizens.