The article by Franco Mercieca, ‘Gozo effectively accessible’ (April 3) really presents me with an opportunity to show how the present government is trying to manipulate Gozitans to accept the government’s hidden agenda, which they do not dare publish as they are really scared of criticism, which from my part will be constructive, to the point, and effective.

The chairman of the steering committee for the Malta-Gozo tunnel went through great lengths to convince us that really, the tunnel is the only means of having Gozo a better paradise than it presently is.

Seemingly we are reaching the point where we may feel sorry for our ancestors for having missed such an opportunity available to us by modern technology or may be in the near future, we may recall how fortunate our ancestors were in having lived in such glorious times gone by.

The issue of accessibility is now becoming the buzz word and for the present government unfortunately only a word - they utter words but fail to support them with facts.

One such fact is that since this government was elected with such a majority, they think they are in a position to dictate not govern. The latest regional statistics were issued and obviously the ministries exploit the situation to inflate their sails, quoting the progress achieved compared to the previous year in Gozo. This mainly concerns tourist visits and vehicles crossing over to Gozo.

Rightly so, but they are missing an important contributing factor, that this increase in traffic was supported by the investment of the previous government regarding the ferries and terminals, leaving aside the amount of vehicles unaccounted for in the ticketing system as the figures quoted would have been more.

This government has not as yet during these years since elected in 2013 - except for the financial burden on the Gozo Channel company of a vast number of employees (pre-election promises) - allotted a single euro to the improvement of the present Gozo Channel fleet to update it to the latest euro emission standards - so this was appropriate for the chairman of the Steering Committee to quote that the pollution caused by the Gozo ferries exceeds that of the cars that may use the tunnel.

Even so, this pollution is released on the open seas not on land at Manikata or Nadur. Again, he may note that this vehicle pollution is even increasing by having all those heavy vehicles to drive from Ċirkewwa and back besides contributing to the traffic congestion which has become a common occurrence in Malta. 

Here the Gozo Business Chamber offers opportunistic support - so they did commission a study in 2015 regarding the tunnel and still they did not care to have another study about the impact of having businesses to face the tortuous road from Ċirkewwa when they were deprived of the use of the Sa Maison berthing place without seeking an alternative solution.

No formal requests were made and obviously no importance was given on the media - surprisingly the businesses concerned settled down to adjust to the situation as it seems they are crossing free of charge.

The present government does not have any mandate, irrespective of the majority obtained,to implement such a project

Anyway, the president of the Business Chamber, whether in his own capacity or on behalf of the members, is in favor of the tunnel to the extent that in his presentation at a meeting organized recently by Wirt Ghawdex claiming “Gozo is doomed if we do not take action now” referring to the implementation of the tunnel. 

Not even during the last war when Gozitans were really struggling to cope with everyday life did they ever think that they were doomed, so why is it after all this progress can we ever state that Gozo is on the verge of extinction?

The Steering Committee chairman for once claims that the Labour government is “preparing to achieve the best possible connectivity between the islands”. I humbly ask when?

Summer is fast approaching and again it seems we have to brace ourselves for long queues in the scorching sun waiting to board a ferry to go home.

I have never seen an MP in such circumstances as these are privileged with priority boarding - it’s in such situations that pollution is at its worst  - with most of the cars with engines on to operate the air-conditioning. 

Here the helicopter service is again mentioned and the fast ferry also. The helicopter service was there but it was discontinued leaving the heliport is in a disastrous state - and now the fast ferry again.

A decision maker in Castile, obviously answerable to the Prime Minister, succeeded to mess up the fast ferry tender - to the extent that this is still subject to court jurisdiction and meanwhile the Gozitans are suffering as a consequence.

Important to note that the Prime Minister did not act in the interests of Gozitans but mainly to accommodate a local entrepreneur by allegedly unjustly awarding him the tender.

Similarly the Minister of Finance last year refused to allocate funds to lease another ferry during the busy summer months - not same for direct orders being awarded amounting to millions of euros without any sense of accountability to the taxpayer who is paying out all this money.

 Up to now we have been exposed and shown one glittering and polished side of the coin and I ask what about the other side? I venture to predict what the other side may be assuming this tunnel project is concluded.

Ask residents in Mellieħa (6,000) and St Paul’s Bay (14,000)  - which is the shortest and easiest  route to Mater Dei or Gozo Hospital . They would surely indicate that Gozo is nearest. 

Life is cheaper in Gozo especially renting - so it may be expected that there will be an influx of workers, especially foreigners, who may settle in Gozo. To this end even the Malta Developers Association already endorsed the tunnel project - most probably several developers have their intention to rape any virgin land in Gozo for speculation, similar to what is going on in Malta.

 Sliema residents almost forgot when was the last time they had the privilege to enjoy the glorious sun - this may be the same irreversible situation awaiting Gozitans if this tunnel is to be implemented. 

‘Strict developments policies, especially through the work of the Gozo Regional Development Authority’ - Really? Anyone in his right senses is aware of what is going on in Malta with the blessing of Mepa - ODZs are being unscrupulously developed, old buildings demolished irrespective where they are and what historical value they may have - how about Pembroke?

 What is going on is not far away and we are on the verge of being linked, risking to be infected with all this haphazard development on our Gozo which we once promoted as where “time stands still”.

Last but not least I point out that the present government does not have any mandate irrespective of the majority obtained to implement such a project - this is an issue that concerns all Gozitans and this should be decided by all Gozitans.

It seems the government is reluctant to extend this choice to the Gozitan voters who elected them - let Gozitans decide their own fate. It seems democracy has been relegated to the dictionary and in practise all we have is rampant corruption.

In years to come our future generation may look back with satisfaction that we left them Gozo as a better place to enjoy and relish or else they will never forgive us for leaving them a concrete jungle really - paradise lost!

Emmanuel Galea is an analytical thinker.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece