For the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure results are achieved faster by adopting a ‘might is right’ attitude rather than by being ethical and abide by the prevailing ‘rule of law’. That is what is going on at present at the Tal-Balal/San Ġwann extension roadworks.

So, I wonder why the minister is not applying the same fast-track method in tackling a common traffic bottle neck at Manikata, which is mainly frequented by drivers proceeding to and from Gozo and Mellieħa.

Among these drivers there certainly have to be members of Parliament, prominent persons with a high degree of authority within the government. Still no one has ever taken the initiative to widen this 200-metre long stretch of road to relieve the traffic in both directions, thus eliminating the frustration and cooling of tempers when everyone is insisting on his right of way.

The Mellieħa local council remained ever so passive on this critical issue.

Lately, Paul Cassar, of Victoria, wrote to this newspaper enquiring why Gozo is not being given the attention it deserves regarding surfacing of roads and other related infrastructure projects.

Maybe I can venture an answer. The present government is riding the crest of a wave of record-breaking electoral majority, so it can afford to do away with the Gozitan voters and still have a healthy majority in Parliament.

On the other hand, it is quite a while since we had the benefit of having the Pope or the Queen visiting Gozo. That would have been a golden opportunity of seeing some of our major roads maintained and resurfaced, otherwise the last option is to wait for the next election when promises are printed in the manifesto and hope for the best as always.