Addressing one particular challenge, no matter how big it may be, is never impossible: one has to succeed in getting the necessary resources and build the required knowledge how to tackle it. However, when one particular challenge is not a stand-alone but impinges on several other issues, or is part of a complex network of other challenges, then the approach is never straightforward, no matter how many resources and knowledge are available. Perhaps, some of the necessary attributes required to tackling a complex web of challenges include the perseverance, consequential awareness and a disposition to keep a wide-angled perspective to affront the continuous challenges that keep on surfacing, sometimes one as a result of the other, sometimes quite unexpectedly.
This is the case of the island region of Gozo, where the problem of demography results from employment issues, and impinges on the viability of certain infrastructures, where job creation, notwithstanding several success stories, remains a constant challenge because of a natural lack of economies of scale and so forth. Keeping a wide-eyed perspective is key, as it helps decrease the probability of creating one problem in order to solve another. This idea of a delicate approach towards helping Gozo survive and evolve has been asserted time and again.
Sometimes, masterplans may seem too ambitious. Sometimes they may look like white elephants that may never kick off. At other times however, with careful planning, one may slowly but steadily demonstrate that well thought-out initiatives, even on micro or regional levels, may together constitute edible chunks of a holistic plan that spells sense.
Part one of this context is set by the stint towards improved accessibility to Gozo, the ongoing feasibility studies about connection between the islands, the idea of the fast-ferry service, and the proposal of a new alternative access road to the ferry terminal in Mġarr. Once Gozo is, effortfully made more accessible and thus, it might be physically and logistically more possible for people to earn a living in Malta and dwell in Gozo, then one has to think about attractive reasons for people to set their homes on this island. Here we speak of residential units rather than holiday homes, so it is about matters that make a place a more comfortable homeland – a place where people can live... and work.
In view of this, through the Gozo Regional and Development Network, I note with a degree of satisfaction that a number of projects in the pipeline can bear fruit in this direction if funding is secured and a proper execution ensues. The Ministry for Gozo has earmarked an area of land, some of it disused and some perhaps not fully utilised to its maximum potential, on the outskirts between Xewkija, Victoria and Sannat.
The first part includes the construction of a carnival village in the site that so far houses the construction and maintenance unit, known as Il-kejselli. One may, at first glance, find it hard to reconcile the fact that the development of a carnival village will be beneficial to the Gozitan community. One may find it somewhat funny and hilarious to say that Gozo is trying to make itself more liveable with a carnival village. Truth is, however, that Gozo lacks any facility of the sort.
The few people that work miracles in this regard, work against all odds and against all sense of sustainability. The few people that work for carnival (and other cultural events) will always remain “a few”, because they have scarcely anything with which they may make themselves attractive to new blood.
Experience has already shown that the manufacturing industry in Gozo is not the most of profitable industries
The satisfaction of tweeting about a record of 41,000 trippers to Gozo for a carnival holiday period and the economic ripple effect may easily extinguish if things are taken for granted. One may question how much carnival is feeding the island or generating the economy. On the other hand, let us imagine an island that loses even this little attraction that it is considered to have.
Sustaining the popular culture is a means (by all means not the only one), to provide recreational environments for the population, especially the young one, to nurture a sense of identity and to prevent the island from going into absolute hibernation in holiday breaks that brighten up the otherwise slow and shady winter. I dread the time and scenario when God forbid Gozo loses even this.
Coupling this effort, another underutilised area in the vicinity, i.e. the Ulysees Grove, is also being earmarked for a family park. The idea here is to add another functional use to an area that is disused – if not misused due to the large stretch of darkness that it creates especially during night time. Without tampering the vegetation, which in any case is neither indigenous nor natural, the stretch of trees that hide the industrial estate from the busy Mġarr Road may find a new scope offering a recreational environment of a different sort for families.
Two other parts of the plan for this area target the economic and employment attributes of the area. While every effort will be made to help the existing industrial estate continue to serve as an employment generator, in continuation with the RS2 project, a business park is earmarked to evolve, to welcome that much desired foreign direct investment – the injection of new cash into the small Gozitan economy. This business park will be tailor-made for the particular needs of the Gozitan island, population and economy.
It does not make sense to have it industrial. Experience has already shown that the manufacturing industry in Gozo is not the most of profitable industries. Besides it might not make sense to bring more direct competition to the few that have sacrificed their all and still stand on the island offering a living to hundreds of workers. On the other hand, it makes a lot of sense to have a commercial business park. Yes, it has to be something that accomodates the existing industry and attracts new investment, something that helps companies set their foot in Gozo, become more profitable and richer so that their stay in Gozo is even more guaranteed and, in turn, generate more sustainable and secure jobs.
A nearby enterprise incubation centre will help sustain domestic enterprises spearheaded by the Gozitan population. This will be an area where a small Gozitan enterprise that may wish to grow but needs some support to stand tall in a bigger market that is more competitive may find the necessary tools to nurture a strong, solid and resilient profile.
This is of paramount importance because it offers a peace of mind and security to the Gozitan up-and-coming entrepreneur that there is actually someone interested in offering support.
Maybe one day, the first thing that comes to mind for a Gozitan who wants to set up his business venture on the land where he was born would not be double-insularity but added support. Perhaps, one day we may be able to safely say that we have built our island a profile that Gozo works, for businesses and households; for work and living.
Fr Joe Vella Gauci is a regional development agent, LEAP! Project.