My Vision of Gozo by Lino DeBono

A courting couple decide to get married as they believe they are suitable for each other. But it will be through their married life that these will really know the good and defects of each other. Toleration and compassion will be the keyword for the survival of their being together.

In my view, this sort of feeling is that between Malta and Gozo. There is love and respect, but, each have their own habits and views. These may reach the same aim but from different angles and policies.

The Gozitan Mayors

One such view was expressed by the amalgamation when all of the Gozitans Mayors coming from both political parties protested against the destruction by overbuilding which is happening all over Gozo. The absolute majority of the Gozitan population are in complete agreement with this stand taken by the Mayors.

So this is a clear picture to the Central Administration. Stop the destruction of Gozo at once. Authority for this isn’t in Gozitan hands but in a body administered by the Maltese.

I also add my voice in shouting out loud and clear, “Stop destroying Gozo and stop caving in to the greedy developers.”

Let Gozo remain a Rural Island as was previously promised when Malta and Gozo joined the European Union.

Gozo – Farming & Fishing

In former years Gozitans who had no opportunities were mainly in the farming and fishing community. But how many remain today? Very few and far between. Apart from land being limited and having to be divided on inheritance by numerous children and relatives, makes it almost impossible for a family to have the required areas to provide income to and for the family. So alternative and additional work has to be found.

Now if one caters for part-timers in both categories and also for those that have small areas to farm, then Gozo will have a better future in this regard.

Also happening at the present in Gozo is that high level financial people are buying all of the lands available, whether inside or outside development zones. The question is WHY? The Gozitans believe that these individuals have enough clout to persuade present and future administrations and authorities to issue building permits through one excuse or another.

If the central administration really wants to look after Gozo and Gozitan interests, please put a complete and utter STOP to this.

Youths & Gozo Brain Drain

Through the millennia, Gozo has had a brain drain. Each and every Gozitan that wanted to further their profession and proceed with advancement had to exile themselves from Gozo and emigrate to mainland Malta. Take for example the families of two previous political leaders, Mizzi and Mintoff. Chief Justices Mercieca, Camilleri, Refalo, Micallef, etc.

The scholars Aquilina, Cremona, Agius De Soldanis and so on, and so forth.

This is also happening at the present time, many of our youths that find work in Malta get married and remain there. These will have the opportunity to advance in their chosen fields but if they return to Gozo, there opportunities are almost zero.

Thus Gozo has and is still is suffering from a drastic brain drain of the young.

The Solution

In Gozo we also have what is supposed to be a university which is run by someone nominated by the Rector, however such nominated individuals only usually visit occasionally, there is not that local pride in new fields or research being promoted locally. This whilst at the Malta University there are hundreds of Gozitan students.

One of my suggestions is to hold university classes in Gozo itself when there are a sufficient number of students studying a particular subject?

Why not also hold lectures by means of modern technology via video links to Gozitan students at this university? After all this is practiced at the Malta University and also by many employees working from home.

Survey Needed

A Statistical Survey for Gozitan Students who pass the final examinations of 6th Form but opt out of attending University afterwards has never been done. So my question is “How many Gozitan qualified Students are actually opting out of University? ”

Find Out “Whys and Wherefores”

This is essential for any administration to find out. How many of these students opt for another job in Gozo itself so as not having to spend many years studying and working over on the mainland? What are their prospects of further advancing in their line of work and future lifes?

I believe these questions and answers are essential for the future programming for Gozitan Students and Workers.

Island Connectivity

The more that both islands have a better access to connectivity is welcomed. I have my doubts about the Fast Ferry Service and will wait for the final outcome after the months of winter. As the general public can make use of this as well as it being “free of charge” if I understand it correctly, then there is a very good chance of success.

I agree with the need for a tunnel, but my preference is for a Tube/Rail system. Gozo has been isolated for far too long, it is now time for a better and faster access between islands and also for connectivity to the outside world.

A Dynamic Hub

If new technological investments are made in Gozo it will have a major impact on our youth’s future. High level technical individuals will have the opportunity to find work in Gozo itself. Till now many of these youths have found work in the mainland.

However living in Gozo whether single or married and working in Malta brings an added burden of the extra/double expenses that such families face. The present administration is helping by financing part of these costs, but the rest of these additional costs have to be borne by the individuals concerned.

One also has to consider that according to National Surveys, a Gozitan Worker earns much less than a worker living in Malta. This is an anomaly that requires in-depth studies. This is apart from the lack of time for living a normal life as can be done by other families living in the mainland.

The second Fibre Optic Cable has been implemented recently, so yes, this is very important as business investors in these fields will have the peace of mind that they can be supplied with their needs adequately.

This second cable has opened a vast door for the technological aspects of new work and progress. Well done to all concerned, this was a very large step forward.

Modern Equipment at Gozo Hospital

Another major issue in my view is the lack of Equipment/Machinery that is required at the Gozo Hospital. Progress has been made, but when one observes the disparity in the amounts spent at Mater Dei Hospital in comparison to that of Gozo, they are much further apart than any ocean.

An M.R.I. machine is urgently required as currently all Gozitans are being given appointments at Mater Dei Hospital at unearthly hours. What should be a half hour investigation takes at least 5 hours for Gozitans forced to travel to Malta.

There are three M.R.I. machines at Mater Dei, so why on earth not buy one for Gozo General Hospital. Huge sums of monies are being distributed to all of the cultural, sporting, and other bodies which is quite right, but I firmly believe that the health of the people of Gozo should and must come first and foremost.

Specialists are also required on a more regular bases. Waiting times between one visit and another are far too long apart in my view. Therefore more specialists are required based in Gozo and if need be foreign Doctors have to be considered for these jobs.

Thus Gozitans will have the required medical treatments provided more efficiently and quickly in Gozo itself.

When I state that the Gozo Hospital needs machinery equipment I do not only refer to the M.R.I. but also to the many other urgent medical requirements of the Gozitan population.

Conclusion

All of us living in Malta or in Gozo have the same aspirations, which is “A Better Future for All.” Our Islands have made tremendous progress during recent years. Let’s keep on doing this together for our own benefit and for those of our children and their future generations.

As for the first time in Gozo’s history, the Mayors have amalgamated to stop the current wanton destruction of Gozo, let’s expand this same value to many others as well.

Lino DeBono

Photo by Alain Salvary