The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) has voiced its concern over the Leader of the Opposition Dr Bernard Grech’s comments at a Political activity in Gozo regarding a referendum to be undertaken on the proposed Gozo tunnel project.

The GBC argued that a referendum on the Gozo tunnel at this stage of the project “would not be appropriate.”

Dr Grech, speaking about a permanent link, had said that “accessibility is an issue closely linked to the competitiveness and sustainability of Gozo. The Nationalist Party has already stated that it is ready to look at the Malta-Gozo tunnel project in a constructive and positive way, but wants all the studies to be done first, to be published, to have a wide consultation with the Gozitans and the studies to be well explained so that everyone can understand them.”

He went on to say that, “this is not being done by the Government and it greatly diminishes the Gozitans. We want the experts to be objective and independent and to convince us of the feasibility of the project, how much it will cost and how much it will cost to maintain and run it.”

Dr Grech highlighted that it “needs to be weighed up how much we will really gain and how much we will lose from such a project, whether there are alternatives between Malta and Gozo that are as effective and feasible as the tunnel and that potentially have less negative impact.”

He stressed that the Party believes “that no tunnel project should be started between the islands before a detailed masterplan is drawn up on development in Gozo, its quality, environment and aesthetics. If necessary, this plan will be passed by a law that cannot be changed except by a two-thirds vote and if necessary by a referendum among Gozitans.”

The Chamber, in a statement on Tuesday, referred to the motion tabled in Parliament regarding the permanent link, which project had started during the 2008-2013 administration, and continued under subsequent legislatures with various studies which were published by Transport Malta. The motion was approved by both sides of the House.

It added that “given the extensive period, work, the studies that have already been undertaken on the project,the publication of a pre-qualification questionnaire, and the submissions made, calling into question this project at this stage through a referendum would not be appropriate.”

The Chamber pointed out that “such a step should have been undertaken when this project was initially included in the national policy agenda. The feasibility and the continuation of the project should only be determined through the technical studies that have been and are still to be undertaken.”

It stressed that “this is an important long-term project which envisages multiple legislatures. Within this context the motion that had been approved in Parliament, led to an agreement from both sides of the House on the strategic direction to be adopted on this project.”

“Tinkering with such an important long-term project which has multiple benefits for the Gozitan society and economy is not acceptable,” the Gozo Business Chamber said. “This would put back to the drawing board an important project which has been in the pipeline for many years.”

The Gozo Business Chamber went on to say that the permanent link would “level out the inequalities between the Gozitan and the Maltese economy. It would make living in Gozo a choice which is not constrained by the present physical limitations, whereby youths who want to settle in Gozo can do so freely.”

“From an economic perspective it would mean that the present limitations linked to insularity would no longer be the case,” concluded the Chamber.

Referendum on Gozo tunnel would “not be appropriate” – Gozo Business Chamber

The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) has voiced its concern over the Leader of the Opposition Dr Bernard Grech’s comments at a Political activity in Gozo regarding a referendum to be undertaken on the proposed Gozo tunnel project.

The GBC argued that a referendum on the Gozo tunnel at this stage of the project “would not be appropriate.”

Dr Grech, speaking about a permanent link, had said that “accessibility is an issue closely linked to the competitiveness and sustainability of Gozo. The Nationalist Party has already stated that it is ready to look at the Malta-Gozo tunnel project in a constructive and positive way, but wants all the studies to be done first, to be published, to have a wide consultation with the Gozitans and the studies to be well explained so that everyone can understand them.”

He went on to say that, “this is not being done by the Government and it greatly diminishes the Gozitans. We want the experts to be objective and independent and to convince us of the feasibility of the project, how much it will cost and how much it will cost to maintain and run it.”

Dr Grech highlighted that it “needs to be weighed up how much we will really gain and how much we will lose from such a project, whether there are alternatives between Malta and Gozo that are as effective and feasible as the tunnel and that potentially have less negative impact.”

He stressed that the Party believes “that no tunnel project should be started between the islands before a detailed masterplan is drawn up on development in Gozo, its quality, environment and aesthetics. If necessary, this plan will be passed by a law that cannot be changed except by a two-thirds vote and if necessary by a referendum among Gozitans.”

The Chamber, in a statement on Tuesday, referred to the motion tabled in Parliament regarding the permanent link, which project had started during the 2008-2013 administration, and continued under subsequent legislatures with various studies which were published by Transport Malta. The motion was approved by both sides of the House.

It added that “given the extensive period, work, the studies that have already been undertaken on the project,the publication of a pre-qualification questionnaire, and the submissions made, calling into question this project at this stage through a referendum would not be appropriate.”

The Chamber pointed out that “such a step should have been undertaken when this project was initially included in the national policy agenda. The feasibility and the continuation of the project should only be determined through the technical studies that have been and are still to be undertaken.”

It stressed that “this is an important long-term project which envisages multiple legislatures. Within this context the motion that had been approved in Parliament, led to an agreement from both sides of the House on the strategic direction to be adopted on this project.”

“Tinkering with such an important long-term project which has multiple benefits for the Gozitan society and economy is not acceptable,” the Gozo Business Chamber said. “This would put back to the drawing board an important project which has been in the pipeline for many years.”

The Gozo Business Chamber went on to say that the permanent link would “level out the inequalities between the Gozitan and the Maltese economy. It would make living in Gozo a choice which is not constrained by the present physical limitations, whereby youths who want to settle in Gozo can do so freely.”

“From an economic perspective it would mean that the present limitations linked to insularity would no longer be the case,” concluded the Chamber.

Photo by Alain Salvary

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