Now that the general election is over and one can think in a more reasonable manner, I would like to raise a few points that would be beneficial to Gozo and its inhabitants.
The €200 million Barts project will certainly be a big boost for Gozo and contribute to narrowing the big difference that exists between the islands in terms of GDP.
Training foreign paying medical students at the general hospital will definitely improve the financial income of people on the island, whether in the form of rent, hotel accommodation, visits by parents, entertainment, shops, restaurants etc. As Gozo still provides tranquillity, visitors are likely to buy properties as well.
Gozitans will benefit greatly in terms of medical services and the specialised personnel we had lacked under the previous government, which had focused on Mater Dei Hospital and overlooked the Gozo hospital. That meant that a Gozitan seeking the services of a medical specialist had to do so privately and at a high cost.
It is extremely difficult to attract gaming companies to Gozo as their employees, especially foreigners, are attracted by the more lively nightlife that exists in the Sliema-St Julian’s-Paceville areas. Gozo in my view offered a much more entertaining life in late 1960s and 1970s than it does now. Gozitan youths are crossing over to Malta during weekends for entertainment.
So if a gaming company would venture to open in Gozo, attracted by a three-year tax-free period and €10,000 for each Gozitan worker brought over from Malta – there are a good number of Gozitans working in this field – then a new and exciting prospect will open for high-tech jobs.
If this happens Gozo will also have foreign families living and staying on the island. This will promote the rental market and increase income for Gozitans, raising the island’s GDP.
These proposals make good sense. The government and the Gozo Ministry must do their utmost for such a project to succeed.
When some 10 years ago a ship’s anchor had cut the underwater electric cable, it was replaced by a fibre optic one that only reached till Comino. I have brought this issue up in several conferences. It now appears that the government is going to provide a second fibre optic cable. But the one from Comino and the new one would involve extra expenses for trenching works.
The new view is to have another cable which will cross over from a different point to coincide with the underground channels already in place. As long as this is supplied it is good news for Gozitans. One must note that it is only now that Go is installing fibre optic in houses.
Gozitans will benefit greatly in terms of medical services and the specialised personnel we had lacked under the previous government
A second fibre optic cable will facilitate any gaming or similar company with a modern and efficient system. So let’s see what the future holds for Gozo in this new field.
For workers, students, for promotion, for higher job opportunities, travelling, merchandise and factory exports a tunnel would be a godsend to Gozitans. I still have doubts about a fast ferry service, but one has to see.
There are some residents in Gozo, who do not need a tunnel and are against it. This includes the aged. They opt for a quieter Gozo but the absolute majority are in favour.
I for one will not be here to enjoy this marvellous project but the new generation will.
Gozo lacks the numerous historical places that mainland Malta offers. It has the Citadel, Ġgantija and what else? Dwejra’s window is lost forever. So what else does Gozo offer? A few places come to mind: Brockdorff Circle in Xagħra, Borg Għarib in Għajnsielem, the excavated houses in the Ċittadella, Għar Gerduf in Kerċem, the Roman villa in Ramla, Għar Ilma, the caves in Kerċem and Taċ-Ċawla in Sannat.
So many interesting places that can attract both local and foreign interest. I have always insisted such projects could be free of costs if agreements are reached with foreign universities that are financially supported by corporations.
What is needed is drive, ambition for a better Gozo and contacts.
Mġarr Harbour has become small for the present needs. When Lord Balogh during the Dom Mintoff era planned a feasibility study, one particular project was the Mġarr Harbour extension. There were three options, small, medium and large. I believe it wasn’t the large one that was opted for.
One should study if this harbour can be extended from before reaching Xatt l-Aħmar from one end and before the Ħondoq ir-Rummien area.
If the authorities would ever consider this major project, it will create space for hundreds of yachts, local fishermen and a cruise liner berth.
It will also provide Gozitans with job opportunities, housing, places of entertainment – the economy will really boom.
On the other hand what bothers Gozitans is the taking over of all seaside beaches and areas, roads, embankments and facilities. Encroachments are the new way of doing things where they become private property all year round by abusers.
There are about 1,200 Gozitan students at the Malta University. In some classes there are quite a good number of students. I believe that the University should organise classes for them in Gozo. The Gozo University should be more dynamic than at present. It is useless to boast about Gozo having a university when it is only a cosmetic one. Nothing is impossible – only goodwill and some initiative by the University authorities is needed.
In this modern age visual TV contact can be facilitated between the Malta and Gozo universities. Lessons can be held in Gozo and Malta at the same time. So why not initiate this very simple system?
That is why Gozo has a ministry, a ministry that has to be dynamic and progressive. It has to think outside the box and look for new innovative projects. The Gozo Ministry has to lose once and for all its provincial aspects and cater for new methods of management. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Much more can be said about Gozo being classified as a regional island, but that is for another time.