This budget, which was so well presented by the able Minister of Finance Clyde Caruana, brings back memories of why I chose to join the Malta Labour Party, who’s values are to elevate the social welfare and well being of the people, especially the working class and the marginalised. The budget also caters for the economy in general whilst keeping a close eye on the GDP to ensure that it does not to exceed 60%.

All of these social benefits are being provided without any additional taxes for several consecutive years now.

Whenever I attend conferences abroad the facilities and stipends we provide to give totally free education to university and other students amazes other countries. They wonder how such a small country can achieve this level of wealth and progress and wish that they they could emulate our standards.

Surveys Questioned By Me

I do question surveys that quote that 42% of young students say that they want to leave our islands and want to live and work abroad. Anyone who experienced this isolation from our islands knows how hard and financially difficult it is to live and work abroad.

One has to fork out thousands upon thousands just for studies and courses, here in our islands it is all provide for free by the government.

My Island Gozo

Gozo is said to have been allocated 60 million euros for sustainable “Urban Development.” This is too general for one to assess. What – where and exactly does this mean?

The swimming complex was first introduced by Minister Anton Refalo, it was then continued by Minister Justyne Caruana and now is in its final stages under the present Minister.

In the meantime the St Joseph Home for the Elderly at Ghajnsielem is still not ready. Shame. Elderly married people who lived have all their lives together are still being separated when taken to governmental care homes, at the very time when they need each other most.

This has to be urgently taken care of in Gozo.

Gozo General Hospital

Gozo General Hospital urgently needs more high-tech machinery. More specialists in different categories. More competence in general. Some improvement is being achieved but it is being achieved too slowly. Bart’s are doing a wonderful job and I hope that they continue to improve the hospital with their projects.

Lastly I do hope that Government will stop once and for all these “Contract Agencies Employments” and make sure that the Law passed in 1971, that quotes that workers “Must Have Equal Pay for Equal Work,” is implemented to the full as this is an important “Social and Just Law” which is not at present being adhered too.

I still have and hold the socialist values implanted in me by former Labour Leaders of my Political Party.

Historical Monuments

Fort Chambray, Ghar Gerduf, Mixta Cave, Aqueducts built by the British, Ghar Ilma Cave, Trunciera in Zewwiqa/Mgarr and the Punic Temple in San Lawrenz/Kercem area.

On the Mainland one sees and hears of continuous development in these sort of areas, in Gozo so far there is almost nothing. One looks forward to a pronounced improvement on this.

Lastly, what is so worrying for the majority of Gozitans is the excessive developments which are taking place continuously. Gozitans were hoping and still are, that these destructive developments will be at least limited, or better still stopped, so that what remains of Gozo will not be completely destroyed.

Gozo can and must retain it’s rural and tranquil aspects, not cover them in yet more concrete monstrosities.

Lino DeBono

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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