According to the electronic paper maltastar.com, eleventh hour amendments to Labour's policy plan for Gozo are proposing to bring Gozo closer to Brussels, which will be achieved with the setting up of two offices that would help Gozo make use of concrete advantages and funding from the EU.
These offices will be situated in the Belgian capital and at the Gozo Ministry. In the EU centre, a representative of the regional council for Gozo, which the Labour Party promised to set up once elected to government, will be responsible for Gozitan affairs.
The chosen person will guide the council on how to take advantage of regional privileges and funds. This is something new and an advantage for Gozo. It shows the good intent of a future Labour government to bring Gozo closer to Brussels.
We have also been told that the Ministry for Gozo would set up an office that would advise Gozitans on their rights as EU citizens. This 'office' or desk is already functioning and there are a number of personnel at the Gozo Ministry, whose job is to take care of EU funds and projects.
What is lacking is the awareness of the public about this office. There is no direct access to this office for the public and few know what is available where EU funds and opportunities are concerned.
It has been divulged that the regional council for Gozo would be made up of the Minister for Gozo as ex-ufficio president, a representative of every local council, a representative of constituted bodies and civil society, the permanent secretary for Gozo and directors of the Gozo Ministry. This is the same sort of set-up the actual regional committee has.
Unfortunately, so far this committee was not that effective. It served only to give a formal rubber stamp to the EU projects that were already proposed by the different representatives on the committee. The present committee has no executive power and it only can make proposals for consideration by the government. The fact that the 'new' regional committee for Gozo is going to be different in its function to the present committee has not been mentioned.
The plan includes ample proposals on how to improve tourism in Gozo. This is a positive sign that a new Labour government truly intends to improve tourism in Gozo.
The various meetings of Dr Evarist Bartolo and the Labour Party administration with the various stakeholders seem to have identified the weak areas in this industry, and various proposals were made to strengthen this sector and help the Gozitan economy in general, among which is the setting up of a Gozo Tourism Authority. The authority would be allotted its own funds so that Gozo will be promoted as a distinct tourism destination with its own culture, characteristics, and attractions.
This is different from the present Gozo Tourism Association, which has no executive power and no budget allocated to it. It is hoped that this new approach will be able to give the necessary start to this important sector.
Another idea, which is not new at all, is subsidised direct public transport from the airport to the Cirkewwa Gozo ferry terminal. Gozo Channel intends to start this service in the future.
It is very ironic that when some idea is mentioned everybody wants to get the credit for it. The public does not mind who actually takes the credit as far as the idea is put into practice.
Another plan for Gozo is the extension of new diplomas, degrees and Masters courses at the Gozo University Centre in information technology, planning, business, agriculture and the administration of non-profit organisations.
This is even more possible in this day and age with the new technologies available. It all depends on the disposition of the University to implement these courses using distant learning techniques.
Finally, the Labour party is also proposing the removal of the Gozo General Hospital incinerator, which would be replaced by more modern facilities. One needs to mention as well that the hospital still lacks basic medical equipment and other important machines, such as a mammogram and a CT scanner. These are considered nowadays to be indispensable tools in medicine.
It is hoped that this is not all pie in the sky before the Gozitans are asked to cast their votes in the next general election. The Gozitans want to be assured as well that Gozo will remain as one district region with its geographical and cultural identity. The Gozitans cannot accept other alternatives.