Life in politics is far from sitting on a throne. Fully aware of serving the country, a politician must be constantly focused and take the necessary decisions the country requires and for which he or she must carry the responsibility.
The event this week, when yet another shipload of immigrants was stranded in open seas, brought out again our Prime Minister’s skill in taking wise and weighted decisions at critical moments. Standing firm on the government’s constant adherence to its international obligations, and in line with the country’s humanitarian tradition, Dr Muscat came out brilliantly with high statesmanship material.
Apart from protecting Malta’s sovereign rights, he rose above all partisan and divisive outbursts and led other responsible European leaders to review their stand on immigration issues. Once again, Malta’s stand was positively evaluated by top EC ranks like Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk. It all shows that seasoned political leaders know very well when to speak up with timely statements, after they have diligently considered the real facts, and shoulder the consequences of their decisions. We also welcome the Opposition Leader’s standing four-square with the Prime Minister, auguring that he will further take over the party’s collective stand on all issues of national importance.
Responsible decisions
National issues, such as those concerning connectivity matters between the two islands, also deserve timely decisions and public statements that respect ongoing procedures. This is precisely my duty and this is what I do, no matter the amount of questioning from curious sources or, worse still, from those same people who, for many years, sat still when today’s challenges were already evident.
This week I spoke in Parliament about the Malta Tourism Authority’s estimates and it was a welcome opportunity for public statements – with full respect for current administrative tendering processes, with all their strategic and commercial nature. I was very clear when I told Parliament that the choice of company to partner Gozo Channel to run the fast ferry had been carried out in the interests of the Gozo Channel service and of nothing and nobody else.
While addressing criticism levied on the selection process, I reminded everyone that short, medium and long-term plans to make the service more efficient had been drawn up. It is true that a fast ferry selection process had already taken place last year, but this was for a tender which was then withdrawn, and so another call was issued. Gozo Channel restarted the process according to the requirements for the new tender, which is now the subject of two appeals, so all those speculating about the subject have to wait for these to be concluded.
The necessary strategy
We must acknowledge that the Gozo Channel vessels are now being used significantly more frequently. Last weekend, they carried more than 55,000 passengers, a 13 per cent increase over last year, and such figures are being recorded more frequently. This is a direct result of the incessant cultural and entertainment programmes that are attracting more visitors to Gozo.
Loyal to our election commitments, we have a holistic plan for the channel service which, for reasons indicated earlier, I will only make public at the right time.
Mid-week I did, in fact, announce that David Spiteri Gingell has been tasked with reforming the structure and management of Gozo Channel so that the company is better prepared for the increase in demand and resulting challenges. Changes will be aimed at ensuring that, as the means of secure connectivity between the islands, the company will continue to serve its fundamental role towards Gozo’s economic and social development.
The restructuring process will be led by a Revisionary Board for Managerial Change, appointed by the Gozo Ministry, which includes the company’s chairman and other people experienced in the sector. The board, which is leading the restructuring process, has already approved the strategy that should lead the company to greater operational efficiency. The strategy will focus on the company’s reorganisation, including the better management of its assets and the drawing up of more modern operational methods.
Cruise calls in Gozo
Cruise liner port calls are on the increase in Gozo, reflecting record tourism activity last year, with over 20 such calls and many more scheduled for this year. I spoke about this during the debate on the Malta Tourism Authority in the house on Monday, confirming that an economic impact assessment on a cruise liner buoy in Gozo is currently underway. This subject has been discussed in the past and it is high time that we come to a feasible decision that will further benefit the island’s economy.
Currently, cruise liners pay no landing charges in Gozo, and in this regard the buoy would already change things. The project will involve the spending of hundreds of thousands of euros in related studies, technical surveys and tests, professional services and project supervision, the manufacturing and installation of the buoy, apart from the maintenance contract and a five-year certification.
Studies have been carried out jointly by the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry for Gozo regarding a new buoy. These studies included careful consideration of the preservation of the natural habitat and archaeological remains on the sea bed. The Gozo Ministry is adamant that all tourist-related projects must respect the sustainability of Gozo’s tourist industry, which is a major contributor to our economy.
Top posts for our citadel
It was most welcome news this week that the Citadel restoration project has been named as a finalist in a European competition for its originality and innovation. The project is among 21 finalists from more than a hundred nominations of the best innovative project to be selected among those completed through European funds. The selection will be made by an independent jury for the 2018 RegioStars Awards edition, for the most outstanding European project that supports the European Union’s cohesion policy.
The Citadel restoration project is competing with projects in Wales, Portugal, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ireland. RegioStars Awards identify good practices in regional development and highlight original and innovative projects that are attractive and inspiring to other regions. The prestigious nomination further strengthens our commitment to create other initiatives aimed at maximising the potential of this historic site that dominates the island. We are fully geared up to ensuring that the Citadel site is alive throughout the year with cultural and educational activities for all ages.
Such events at the €14 million project increased the number of tourists visiting this cultural site by a considerable 29.3 per cent. We have also ensured that 60 per cent of the site is now accessible to people with disabilities.
Spreading further support
While replying to one of well over a hundred parliamentary questions tabled during the past year, it clearly transpired that the Gozo Ministry has been extending its support by way of hundreds of thousands of euros to Church entities. I did, in fact, promote a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gozo Diocese through which we join hands in necessary social and cultural initiatives for the common good of Gozitan families. Facts and figures prove that there is a lot of meaningful work being carried out, away from any publicity, but certainly beneficial for many within our community.
Additionally, the Gozo Ministry’s official and transparent schemes to support local NGOs are well-known. This week we moved ahead with a €50,000 investment in the refurbishment of the Ministry’s Animal Welfare Section. Last year, this section responded to more than 530 reports by telephone, with 426 animals given the necessary help. Calls for such help are unfortunately increasing, hence the need for further capital investment.
A new ambulance equipped with the latest technology has now been purchased, while a modernisation project has been completed in the new building, meeting the needs of injured or abandoned animals. Further investment has also been made in human resources, and we now have better trained professionals and carers.
In such instances too, decision-making is a continuous process that combines my ministerial duties with my call to serve my fellow Gozitans and, of course, mankind’s best friends!