An excellent project for Gozo was just announced without much “Fanfare” by the Institute of Tourism Studies, together with a Jordanian Firm, for a Sub-Aqua Institute for Diving in Gozo. Kudos to one and all and especially for Mr Carlo Micallef who leads this project.

In my opinion this project will benefit Gozo and its economy without damaging it’s habitat or way of life. Instead this project will bring in an income to the many people and businesses involved in this line of business.

In my humble view these are the kinds of projects that Gozo does need. Well done to one and all.

The Beginning

If my memory serves me well the initiation of underwater visitors to Gozo started in the late 60s and early 70s when a group of Swiss and Austrian tourists holidaying in Gozo took up this hobby of Sub-Aqua. As I remember their first unofficial headquarters was a garage near the Police Station in Marsalforn.

At that period of time Malta was also organising competitions in sub-aqua fishing. I remember distinctly when a certain “Rizzo” was found dead in a Comino Cave and brought to the Gozo Hospital in St Francis Square. I was there and saw his body being unloaded from a van and taken into the Hospital. I will never forget this happening.

Later another well known diving personality also died whilst underwater spearing in a cave at Comino. If my mind still remembers correctly his surname was Debono.

In the meantime Italian tourists started visiting Gozo, bringing, against the local laws, air cylinders which they used to spear fish. These fish were sold illegally to restaurants in Marsalforn and Xlendi, but mostly in Marsalforn.

Several times I protested and brought this issue up in Parliament.

New Outlets

Several investors who saw the possibilities of financial income started operating this underwater outlet by investing in underwater diving lessons, which has now established itself internationally.

That is why I am 100% in favour of this project as this will bring more high class tourists in Gozo. Also the opening of a Diving Institute in Gozo will do wonders for the economy of Gozo without creating any more of the rampant over-development which is completely ruining Gozo, sadly without any major political party condemning such monstrous illegalities or trying to put a stop to them.

Marsalforn Breakwater

This project has been in discussion since the 80s. The problematic issue was that to safeguard the bay this project must have two arms and not one. An arm from Santa Maria’s Point and another from further up Ghajn Qawqla.

If only one arm is built then the waves will have to turn round the Bay and thus reduce whatever is in the path.

So one has to find out exactly how the projects are being made before one can state or give the views.

The Citadel/Heritage

The Citadel walls in Victoria were crumbling down and first started being restored by the previous administration and continued by the present ones. It is very welcome to hear that the Citadel will be nominated to UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

But is this enough for Gozo? In my view and personal opinion it is not.

Previously the MP for Kalkara the Hon Glenn Bedingfield often complained about the bad state of Ricasoli and called for much needed restorations. He was quite right and one must say that his appeals were heard and Ricasoli was magnificently restored.

Myself on the other hand regularly brought up the subject for Chambray outer walls and the Knights Hall to also be repaired and restored. These walls fall under the Government authority, but still nothing has been done or even mentioned in the upcoming budgets of both Parties.

Gozo has many other notable places that need restoration, such as the Water Arches leading to Ta’ Pinu, The Trunciera in Qala/Zewwieqa and also Ghar Gerduf and Gar Mixta where it is said that the first people in Gozo lived.

So my urgent appeal for the coming elections is for the creation of viable cultural projects for Gozo and for the rampant over-development which is taking place, even in the Outside Development Zones as well as completely illegal ones, to be stopped immediately.

Lino DeBono

Photo by Alain Salvary

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