As a Maltese member of the European Parliament, my constituency spans the breadth of Malta and Gozo. I visit every town and village in our country, listening, speaking to people, and explaining my role as their representative.

Gozo is no exception. With its particular characteristics and double insularity, being an MEP for Gozo means I spend time there regularly, knocking on doors and understanding the very real challenges that people face every day.

Over the last five years, instead of raising Gozo’s economic level at the same rate as Malta’s, the disparity in real terms between people in Gozo and people in Malta has increased. The gap between our two islands is as high as perhaps it has ever been.

That is unacceptable.

One of the most pressing issues is accessibility. Joseph Muscat’s answer is to announce plans for a permanent link with Gozo at some point in the future.

It makes for a good headline, but presenting long-term solutions to urgent, short-term problems will do nothing to address the immediate issue. Gozo cannot afford to wait for another generation.

In the interim, there is need for a fourth Gozo Channel ferry and a fast ferry. Lately, we have seen the chaos that occurs when one ferry is out of service. The impact on people’s lives and livelihoods is incalculable. In the past, when the number of vehicles travelling was significantly less, ships were leased to replace any ferries undergoing repair, something that was sorely missed this time round.

If immediate action is taken to mitigate the issue of accessibility, then private sector investment in Gozo can be better promoted. It is clear that any private sector initiative must be matched by strong ambition from the government – and that means pumping funds into infrastructure, and particularly digital infrastructure.

Attracting new investment is vital, but the government also needs to do much more to ensure a fair playing field for established businesses in Gozo.

Gozitans are ready to invest, but they must see some sign that the government will support their efforts. It is time for a discussion about what fiscal measures and what capital projects can be put in place to ensure that Gozo becomes a business destination in its own right.

Take Marsalforn for an example, a long-promised breakwater would go a long way in helping turn the town into an all-year-round destination, creating jobs and fuelling growth.

Gozitans have made a living, raised families and built businesses for generations despite the uphill struggles they face. They do not want handouts

In parallel to increased spending in Gozo by the government, measures to help level the field for Gozitans who work in Malta are needed too.

Soaring rent prices in Malta has meant that Gozitans are often at the mercy of landlords who realised that fictitious tenants who buy one of Muscat’s passports can be more lucrative an option.

Our students are effectively being priced out of continuing their education.

Working or studying in Malta while living in Gozo means you may be spared the rent, but the impact on your life, coupled with daily costs, means that barriers are still unsurmountable in too many cases.

European Union funding can help in boosting the island’s economy.

When Malta joined the European Union, a so-called Gozo declaration, accepted by the European Commission, was annexed to our accession agreement that obliges the EU to report on the disparities between Gozo and Malta, and to take that into consideration in budget allocations.

It means that Gozo could remain eligible for funding, irrespective of the situation in Malta. Its proper application depends on the government applying pressure on European authorities, but the government has done nothing.

With EU budget negotiations under way, it is time for the government to put Gozo front and centre. We are ready to do our bit from the European Parliament.

All this also implies stronger regional representation for Gozo and enshrining Gozo’s regional status. It is not only about addressing the historical and cultural need for more autonomy. It means increased, targeted funding, that strengthens our arguments on a European level.

It is subsidiarity in practice.

People in Gozo are resilient; they have made a living, raised families and built businesses for generations despite the uphill struggles they face.

Gozitans do not want handouts – they want a level playing field, they want to be able to compete on the same terms – and that should be within our reach to solve.

Roberta Metsola is a Nationalist Party MEP.