1 comment.Gozo cannot become an extension to Malta – Bernard Grech
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Leader of the Nationalist Party Bernard Grech, said today that the Nationalist Party wants to build a policy where Gozo is not only a more productive region but one that can better maintain and sustain itself, adding that it cannot become an extension of Malta.
He went on to say that “despite the many promises of the Labour Party, including increasing employment for Gozitans in Gozo, the Government has completely ignored this aspect so much so that the number of Gozitans who are forced to work in Malta has more than doubled in the last 7 years.”
Dr Grech was speaking at a press conference on Gozo earlier today, where he is attending various meetings with non-governmental entities and organisations as part of a series of meetings launched by the PN aimed at dialogue to hear the difficulties that are affecting Gozo and Gozitans.
Bernard Grech said that in Gozo even the environmental sector was completely abandoned, saying that the Government had announced only €1 million for the environmental sector, proving that for Labour, “it is not a priority.”
The Nationalist Leader also stressed that one can no longer ignore the changes that are taking place in the social fabric of Gozo and that are creating difficulties in communities.
“This is in addition to a situation where despite the many promises of Labour in the various budgets for projects and developments, they have all remained on the shelf,” Dr Grech said.
He went on explain that “the Nationalist Party wants to build a policy where Gozo is not only a more productive region but one that can better maintain and sustain itself.”
With reference to the connectivity between the two islands, Bernard Grech said that the Nationalist Party believes that one must “first and foremost listen to what Gozitans want and that serious and professional studies should be carried out because Gozo cannot become an extension of Malta that undermines its identity and characteristics.”
Dr Bernard I agree with you that Gozitans have to be given an unbiased and un advertised and politically promoted possibility to voice their wish of a tunnel. This has to be done before the general election and if the majority of Gozitans vote to remain as separated by sea then it has to be dropped not withstanding the money many people will pocket from such a venture. If it is put in one party manifesto before election and not in the other, I will choose the one who promises not to do the tunnel.
Malta is a tourist attraction. Traditional fiestas have to remain as faithful to tradition otherwise if we start cutting horses races from the streets, fireworks, bells etc then it will loose its authenticity and its lure to tourists. Same are other things. Like extra modern abstract building designes. Like restaurants. Tourists want to eat in a Gozitan restaurant and have Local cooks and local people serving him. Italian Restaurants with Italian staff, Chinese, indian with foreign names! All this is killing the Gozo. Gozo is small and we can take care of it. No more licences to foreign people. Yes we can introduce foreign cuisine but we locals. The foreigner can be the chef, and one of the waiters but if it is in Gozon it has to have an English or Maltese name and secondary name will indicate ‘ Chinese food, Italian icecream’ but not as is when tourists get confused which Country they are in when it comes to signs and waiters! There is another problem in Gozo which I cannot mention because they might say I discriminate but in fact I want to protect the identity and culture of Gozo.