A long-ingrained habit that is very well known to Gozitans is that politicians from the main island seem to wake up and notice some of the various needs of Gozo during the run-up to any kind of election. 

They are sure to promise heaven on earth to Gozitans, but forget to admit that they lost all sight of the island when they were in power for decades and had sat comfortably without doing anything about the problems that were conspicuous even then.

Their recent frequent visits to the island will certainly help them understand what we have bravely experienced in everyday life - despite their neglect. They will also observe that today's administration is a class of doers, with the amount of work going on all over the island - partly brand new projects and partly remedial work on half-baked or cosmetic infrastructure over the last decades. In fact, no one can deny that it has been a Labour Government that has tasked itself with implementing projects that Gozitans have been deserving for generations. 

The good news is that Gozitans can easily see the difference between occasional smiles and friendly hugs and the hard facts that are part of their daily life.  Real facts speak louder than all the flowery slogans that smell of opportunistic pity.  My fellow Gozitans will not stand the temporary exploitation of their challenges by those same people who have played with their hopes and emotions for years on end.  

 

A great team effort

The admirable response to last weekend's storm was proof that we have our own heroes who can maintain our security and safety in the most challenging situations. It also shows that the procedures are in place and, in such cases, worked.  The worst storm since 1982 lashed across the country a week ago yesterday, demolishing walls, uprooting trees and damaging installations and houses, as well as causing considerable damage to farmers and fishermen.

As was my duty, I wanted to be on site around the island last Sunday, together with our employees, to take stock of the damage caused by the fierce storm the previous night. The Gozo Ministry coordinated the whole exercise - primarily to deal with any immediate danger. It was indeed a great team effort by the Ministry's employees, who braved the weather and helped with all the necessary emergency work, side-by-side with the Police, the Armed Forces, the Civil Protection Department and Environmental Landscaping Consortium personnel. 

A special word of thanks is most deserving to the Gozo Channel staff for  maintaining the ferry service, despite the storm and wind gusts that reached a record speed of  72 knots or 133 km per hour.  Medical teams were also on alert at Gozo Hospital for any emergency. In truth, we should be proud to have witnessed such admirable teamwork by these brave people. 

 

Government's appreciation

It was most fitting that, later in the week at the Auberge de Castille, the Prime Minister invited representatives of all the organisations that had served their nation with a great sense of duty. I was proud to attend, along with those who had ensured the safety of people in Gozo. They certainly appreciated Dr Muscat's words of thanks in which he said that government had wanted to give a face to the people who had helped the country during the past week.    

While we are still quantifying the damage, we want to help those who cannot be insured, such as farmers and fishermen. In fact, immediately last Sunday morning, the government was already seeking assistance from the European Solidarity Fund. Both islands will also need millions from public funds for the massive repair work that will be necessary in both Malta and Gozo.

 

The helicopter service

In a visit to the Gozo Heliport, together with Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, I announced that work is currently ongoing for the resumption of the helicopter service between Malta and Gozo, which would operate directly to Malta International Airport.

A feasibility study is currently underway, based on several different scenarios and models, with several aviation transport companies, including Airbus, for the various models of helicopters that could potentially be used between the two islands. This air link will have a number of benefits, including emergency services, tourism and better connectivity internationally for both Gozitans and  visitors to our islands.

The government's vision for Gozo is better connectivity to maximise the island's potential. The resumption of the helicopter service will play an important role in ensuring that Gozo continues to benefit from success in the tourism sector and continues to attract quality tourists.

 

Twenty years of the Gozo Tourism Association

This week I was also pleased to address the AGM of the Gozo Tourism Association on Tuesday. After congratulating the GTA on its 20th anniversary,   and predicting further achievements in the future, I stressed that everyone involved with the Association needed to continue working in a synergised approach for the benefit of Gozo's major industry. 

We need to continue diversifying the tourism market by exploring new ventures, hence the importance of the GTA's participation in international tourism fairs - which should be extended -  and new markets.  The number of tourist arrivals needs to be complimented by events on Gozo - something that the Gozo Ministry is  constantly delivering on a regular basis through all the months of the year.

Tourism in Gozo needs to be sustained by the continuous upkeep and upgrading of what we have to offer.  Hand in hand with the vast infrastructural work being carried for better accessibility around the island, everyone involved also needs to employ a pleasant and effective workforce through human resource development and training. Furthermore, the introduction in the near future  of a fourth ferry to compliment the present Gozo Channel fleet, as well as a helicopter service, will be additions to further improve the connectivity to Destination Gozo.

 

Diplomats and trade missions

In the last few months, I have had the pleasure of welcoming to the Gozo Ministry the Ambassadors from both EU and non-EU countries, including France, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Russia and Turkey. Such visits are always a good opportunity for exploring new possibilities to attract direct foreign investment to the island.  It is within my remit that, together with my other Cabinet colleagues, I ensure that Gozo is well-promoted and exposed to attract further economic and industrial activity with a view to creating more job opportunities on the island. 

This week, together with Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, I met with a key official who is coordinating a wider commercial delegation on a specific trade mission to Gozo in the very near future.  Our meeting was also attended by representatives from the commercial community in Gozo in the anticipation that they can be directly involved and fully prepared when, together, we will eventually host the business mission from China - the world's second largest economy and the fastest growing over recent decades. This is yet another welcome opportunity for the Ministry and local entrepreneurs to explain in more detail Gozo's potential for direct foreign investment.

 

Tackling homelessness

Within my hectic schedule this week, I also addressed an important social issue  on which I always keep a major focus within my remit. Together with my colleague, Family and Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon, I participated in a conference dealing with homelessness, organised by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.  Although there are no people who are considered homeless in Gozo, we still find difficulties and inadequate housing for those who really need support. 

I was pleased to announce that the Gozo Ministry will be embarking on an ambitious project to build a block of new, social housing, apartments in Gozo - the first such project in many long years.  In addition, there is a need for better cooperation between the various bodies responsible for social protection, so that they can intervene more quickly and more effectively to help vulnerable people.

The Labour Government is loyal to its high credentials in social justice and also has a direct commitment to provide social housing when required. We have a clear mandate to implement our programme and both Gozo and Malta will be able to separate the hard facts of what we are accomplishing from the shallow - albeit flowery - promises of those who only remember Gozo when they are looking for popular support.