About 16 years ago, the previous administration came out with an ingenious albeit devilish idea: all public registration requirements from both Gozo and Malta would be handled by one private legal office. The reason given was that the government wanted to make the system more efficient, orderly and effective. The new entity was to fall under the direction of a private law firm.
The public was led to believe that the professionalism of private enterprise would boost efficiency and speed.
This excellent choice of words and the devious minds behind the initiative went unnoticed by the public who thought that, finally, inefficiency would be eliminated. So all public registries came under one roof and passed on to a private law firm.
What was not mentioned were the fees an individual had to pay every time a contract was made. The costs were exorbitant. Thus, with the excuse of efficiency, people were made to pay through their noses for Pubic Registry documents. Previously, a citizen could go to a government department and do the research him/herself comfortably, at their own pace and at no cost.
But, of course, if one wanted efficiency one had to pay for it. Hard work, especially by professionals, does not come free.
The new system also meant that billshad to be settled before any documents were posted.
Why does this Big Brother mentality still exist in our islands?
Still, nobody complained and no newspaper ever brought this scam to the attention of the public, as far as I know.
Court expenses also became so exorbitant that, for many low-earners seeking redress in court was no longer feasible. Here, again, lawyers’ pockets were being fattened.
After the change in government, the new administration changed course regarding the Public Registry and the system is once again being managed by the government free of charge. This was a step in the right direction as people were being fleeced.
Recently, I had to visit the Gozo Public Registry and discovered that its files were still being kept in Malta. When I asked about this I was not given a satisfactory explanation. This is not right and it is certainly not fair with Gozitans.
I wrote to a department in Malta that I was directed to contact and I was informed they had no objection in returning the Gozo files. However, I also had to take this up with another department, which said that any Gozitan can apply for any document required and the department would furnish the information required. This to me means the department is not ready to return the files to Gozo.
I objected about such an injustice but the files have still not been returned to their rightful owners, that is, the Gozitans.
To me it is simply unacceptable that somebody should have the sort of mentality of deciding for me and expecting to tell me what is good or bad for me. I am mature enough to make my own decision and have always been able to stand on my own two feet.
Why does this Big Brother mentality still exist in our islands?
Who finally decides: the manager, the minister or the government as an entity? Why does this superiority complex mentality persist? We are one nation and we are all equal. Or are we?
Artefacts of national importance have, over the years, been transferred from Gozo to Malta to go on public display and be enjoyed by both locals and visitors. One can somehow understand this, but, no, I cannot see why Public Registry files of Gozitan families be transferred to Malta and are not returned.
I am therefore asking the relevant departments, the powers-that-be and the government to give back to the Gozitan public what is theirs.
Lino DeBono is a former Labour MP.