Despite the great growth potential of the island of Gozo and the capabilities of the Gozitan people, this area has been left to lag behind in recent years, said Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday.
Dr Sant spent the day in Gozo, where he laid out Labour’s plan for “reviving the economic and social life of the region”.
A new Labour government, said Dr Sant, would focus on Gozo as a region with the setting up of a regional council made up of Gozitan stakeholders, to ensure the continued social and economic development on the island. To compensate for what Dr Sant described as Gozo’s double insularity disadvantage, the MLP will give Gozo specific financial and fiscal incentives to attract investment and new employment to the island. To help existing investment flourish, a new Labour government will provide specific incentives to artisans, small and medium enterprises, manufacturing and food processing industries, IT companies, farmers and fishermen and hoteliers.
The MLP leader pointed out that during the last four years under Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the helicopter service had been discontinued twice, although Dr Gonzi had boasted in 2006 that the re-establishment of flights between Malta and Gozo was another in the Nationalist government’s list of successes. Less than a year later, the Spanish helicopter company hailed by Dr Gonzi had packed up and left Malta for good. Since then, Gozo had been without an affordable and reliable alternative to the ferry link to Malta.
For years, said Dr Sant, the MLP has been calling on government to subsidise a helicopter service for Gozo. But the appeal had fallen on deaf ears. Now, Labour was pledging to re-introduce this service, once in government. Dr Sant explained that Labour MEPs have already ascertained that this service can operate through a government subsidy without being in breach of EU regulations.
Between 1999 and 2006, the share of Gozo’s economic activity to the national economy had fallen by 8 per cent and unemployment is also rising, said the MLP leader. Until 2002, the number of people unemployed had never exceeded 500, but in November 2007 it was over 700 – quite a
significant increase, considering the size of Gozo’s population. The number of hotels and hotel beds in Gozo had fallen by 10 per cent since 2004. At the same time, Dr Sant pointed out, the Nationalist government had not yet managed to complete the Mgarr and Cirkewwa ferry terminals, although it had been promising to complete them since 1996.
The decline in tourism has given rise to the need for a Gozo Tourism Authority. Labour will not only be setting this up, but will also provide it with its own funds and resources to promote Gozo as a distinct holiday destination, and not just a place to visit during a holiday in Malta.
The upgrading of numerous public areas for the enjoyment of both Gozitans and tourists is also in Labour’s plans for Gozo. The Labour leader listed improvements to the sandy beaches of Xlendi and Marsalforn, the embellishment of roads leading to these bays, the restoration of the Ggantija Temples, Brockdorf Circle and the Cittadella and the development of proper panoramic promenades along the coasts of Qbajjar, Wied Ghasri and San Lawrenz.
The creation of adequate
services in prominent scuba diving sites was also crucial to stimulate the diving holiday business, he said.
Students reading for university degrees in certain subjects, including IT and sciences, as well as MCAST students, will be given new subsidies to encourage more young people to take up further studies in these areas. Labour will also ensure that the Gozo University Centre will start offering new courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in research, IT, planning, business and agriculture management. The Gozo centre of MCAST must also offer more courses to Gozitan students.
Labour is also looking at the possibility of opening up a youth hostel co-financed by government for Gozitan students studying on mainland Malta.
Dr Sant also explained that Labour is planning to overhaul Gozo General Hospital, not only by providing new equipment and re-organising wards, but also by increasing the number of consultants and other medical staff. Primary healthcare is high on Labour’s agenda, he said, and a new Labour government will open a new health centre in Gozo, as well as give a new lease of life to government clinics in villages.
The building of a new Regional Community Centre, the relocation of the crammed Gozo Courts from the Cittadella to a more suitable site, a new social housing project, the rehabilitation of Xewkija Industrial Estate and the identification and implementation of a project to enlarge Mgarr harbour, are also in Labour’s plan for Gozo’s revival.
Dr Sant listed a number of Labour proposals for sport and culture in Gozo, including incentives for the organisation of international operas, the upgrading of the Gozo Sports Complex and its grounds, the horse racing track, and the development of a leisure and sports centre at Ta’ Xhajma, including an athletics track, a football ground, a carting race track and a centre for model aircraft enthusiasts.