I believe there is the political will to improve the future of this country. In my view, there is a well-devised plan and a clear view of what is needed for our country. It appears that the Government is heading towards striking a business partnership with the private sector.
As Gozo is lagging behind in all sectors when compared with the mainland, the intention is to address this crucial issue and ensure the necessary improvements take place. Thus, a number of plans have been announced, such as the Hospital University, the bridge/tunnel possibility, better conditions when buying property, incentives for new employment, a cruise liner terminal and yacht marinas, a casino, an old people’s home, air transport, etc.
In the meantime, a bone density unit has been opened at Gozo General Hospital. A cancer unit will also be opened in the near future. Furthermore, the general look of Gozo is definitely improving and the place looks neater. Central strips look better, cleaning has improved, the bays are being given more attention and Gozo is looking much more pleasant.
A call for tenders for the cruise liner terminal and yacht marinas has been issued. Excellent. There is a dire need for such projects to be implemented in Gozo.
What I strongly object to and am definitely against is the suggestion that there should be a cruise liner terminal and yacht marina in Marsalforn Bay. In my view, proposing Marsalforn as the ideal place for such a project is pure madness.
Gozo has very few bays. These are found at Marsalforn, Xlendi, Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Daħlet Qorrot, San Blas, Qbajjar, Mġarr ix-Xini, Ramla l-Ħamra and Ix-Xatt l-Aħmar. Marsalforn is the most popular of all and thousands enjoy their summer vacations there. To convert this popular bay into a yacht marina and/or a cruise liner terminal is a no, no proposition.
As I have already said in previous articles, the best and only spot in Gozo that can take such a huge project is definitely Mġarr.
In the mid-1950s, two experts from the UK – Lord Balogh and Dudley Seers – had proposed a holistic plan for our islands. One of their proposals was to have a harbour in Mġarr. Three harbour plans had been submitted: a small, medium and a larger harbour. Later, the Gozo Civil Council had accepted and tried to implement the small harbour option.
At the time, nobody went into the aspect of the big volume of traffic that would be generated in the future. When the round-the-clock Gozo Channel service was introduced and the yacht marina built in the early 1980s, it became evident that the harbour could not handle any more traffic.
My idea has always been for Mġarr harbour to be extended by constructing two outer arms. One would start from outside Ix-Xatt l-Aħmar and another complementing it from the side of Ħondoq ir-Rummien.
Thus, the same area would be able to cater for and accommodate large cruise liners (not only medium or small liners, which, incidentally, are disappearing from the industry) as well as hundreds of yachts and super yachts.
Imagine what effect these two projects would have in terms of job opportunities, entertainment and property interests in Gozo. I believe that if one decides to go for something it would be better to do it right the first time.
The Xwejni area up to just beyond Qbajjar Bay can also be used for a yacht marina. This will enhance the area and shift work possibilities to another side of Gozo.
But Marsalforn Bay should be left out of the equation completely.
Imagine Gozo having such facilities. How many foreigners would settle there? How property, restaurants and entertainment places would blossom! Add to this a factory or two and one would have Gozo blooming.
Feasible studies on connectivity projects between the islands will be long in coming. Much has been written in the press by who is for or against such projects. I say, first of all let’s have the feasibility studies, which will take a long time to be submitted. Then, we can evaluate the costs and subsequently air our opinions on the subject.
One simply cannot count the chickens before they hatch. Why all this ado about nothing?
The present Administration needs to be given time to implement its electoral programme. The parties’ programmes were presented to the electorate in the run-up to the March election. Now there is a five-year term for their implementation.
We hope for a better future, one that will see GDP growth and better working conditions for all, especially on Gozo where the living conditions are worse than in the rest of Malta.