Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Harry Vassallo yesterday said that the absence of a clear plan for tourism in Gozo left operators and their employees with an uncertain future. Speaking at a press conference held at Marsalforn, Gozo, he said that in order to create long-term employment not subject to seasonality, both public and private investment investment must be made.

Any long-term plan on which such investment must be based cannot be threatened by opportunistic developments allowed to some and not to others and completely contrary to existing laws and policies, he added.

He said, “Under pressure from the public, the development permit at Ramla l-Hamra, which should never have been issued, has now been withdrawn.”

AD has had a prime role in averting disaster by drawing public attention to the threat to Ramla. This U-turn narrowly averts disaster,” Dr Vassallo said.

While legitimate investors remain under threat from those with more money and more political clout, investment in Gozo remains a high-risk venture for those who are willing to abide by rules and regulations, Dr Vassallo said.

“Without being represented in parliament, AD has been instrumental in avoiding disaster in Ramla l-Hamra. In parliament, AD will be able to promote an investment and employment atmosphere of grater certainty and confidence making rules and regulations a useful and definite framework uniformly applied assisting and attracting investment instead of leaving it a high-risk option for some and a no-risk bonanza for others,” Dr Vassallo said.