I am taking an enormous risk with this comment since Gozo is my one-and-only home and my Gozitan friends have been exceptionally helpful to myself and my dear wife who is very ill.

Last year, at a conference held under the auspices of the Ministry for Gozo and Malta Enterprise, many of those attending expressed surprise that the agenda for Gozo as stated by members of Government Departments appeared to be totally different from reality as expressed by business leaders in Gozo. Another comment well supported was the fact that many retired European residents in the island were more than keen to offer their expertise and experience towards the solution of ecological, environmental and communication status of Gozo.

These residents are prepared to offer their advice free but in the main part they are ignored. It seems that the only foreigners whose work is applauded is that of artists and architects. My point is that by using the experience of these experts abroad, Malta can take a shortcut and would dramatically reduce consultation costs for any project.

I came to work here in 1990 and observed dramatic improvements in communications, the appearance of tourist sites, better traffic management, improved access for the disabled until around 2001. Since that time the facilities and appearance, especially in Gozo, have gone into steep decline. A desert island is a great place to visit but not to live in as many of our youngsters are finding. When the clever, active and inspirational mayor of Nadur was elected to Parliament many of us had great hopes of an improvement but now the party line prevails.

The needs of the public are being ignored, or are not being voiced strongly enough. To quote one example: In Victoria there is thriving retail activity along the length of Dr Gorg Borg Olivier Street – but not a single stretch of pavement to walk on. No doubt many readers would say – ‘go back where you came from’ – but Malta is now my only home and I regret seeing this decline and lack of initiative.

Roy Perry

Xaghra