Parlimentary Secretary Chris Said’s recent proposal to consider a permanent link between Malta and Gozo has sparked controversy throughout the islands. GUG (Gozo University Group), the organisation representing Gozitan students in Malta, yesterday held a debate at university quadrangle as part of the ongoing activities at ‘organizations week.’ The speakers were Dr. Chris Said from PN, Dr. Christian Zammit from PL, Prof. Arnold Cassola from AD and Mariella Rapa speaking from the point of view of a Gozitan youth."I was not the first one to come up with this idea," said Dr. Chris Said as he explained that the first proposal to connect the two islands dates back 50 years to 1961 when the ‘civic council of Gozo’ presented the concept. They had suggested 3 ways of joining the islands – an under water tunnel, a bridge, and a causeway. The latter, literally a slightly elevated road through the sea, "would have been a major environmental disaster," according to Dr. Said.

In 1972, Maltese Prime Minister of the time Dom Mintoff, commissioned an investigation by a Japanese organization which confirmed that all three proposals were feasible, "however during that time only 750,000 vehicles used to cross between the islands annually, compared to the 1.2 million that cross today," said Dr. Said. "However I will only be in favour of the project when all factors, including social and environmental, prove to be feasible."

The labour party is in favour of the link. Dr. Christian Zammit elaborated, "Dr. Joseph Muscat said that the labour party will stay in favour of the link, the issue also should be the sole decision of Gozitans. I am the only one of my siblings who still lives and works in Gozo," said Dr. Zammit, "this is truly a rarity and a privilege." Both parties would seem to be in agreement that Gozo’s economy would benefit from such a link.

Prof. Arnold Cassola disagreed with Zammit saying that such an issue shouldn’t be the sole decision of Gozitans. He also said that should such a link be built, Gozitan students would have their monthly study allowance removed. Dr. Said objected to this statement, and Prof. Cassola’s answer was, "why not? In that case we should give the same allowance to students from Birzebbuga." Prof. Cassola also called out to Gozo Minister, Giovanna Debono, "We say that the Gozitans should take the decision when the Gozo minister chooses not to speak about this issue." He continued to add that once the tunnel in complete, we will have traffic from "the tunnel to Independence Square" in Victoria, Gozo, saying that "we would end up with ‘Traffic Gozo,’ not Eco-Gozo."

Dr. Said responded by saying that, "Eco-Gozo is a concept that will not be affected by the permanent link." He accused Prof. Cassola of "threatening with traffic problems when you are not considering the better management when buses in Gozo start to work as they should." Said mentioned Gozo’s double insularity problem saying that apart from lack of direct foreign investment, more internal migration to Malta has lead Gozo to encounter a ‘Brain drain.’ "Today the selling of property in Gozo to Gozitans has considerably decreased because more and more Gozitans are choosing to live in Malta." Dr. Said continued to say that he wants Gozitan youths to feel that they can live in Gozo "there aren’t 800 jobs in Gozo waiting for the 800 Gozitan students who will soon be graduating."

Mariella Rapa said that she would be in favour of any method that links Gozo to Malta. "All of the links we’ve had so far have been good, but a permanent link would mean a permanent impact, so we have to proceed with caution." Rapa also spoke about the brain drain that Gozo is occurring. She said that first the problem of work in Gozo has to be solved before we consider a permanent link. "We cannot be compared to other countries; it is our moral obligation to preserve Gozo, as it is distinct from Malta." She said that before any link should be made, Gozo should see if it can produce more jobs. "I can’t understand how the link will be of an economic benefit to Gozo as an island, once we solve the problem of work in Gozo by regularizing the private sector, then we can assess whether or not Gozo needs more accessibility."

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