Less than 15 years ago Maltese and Gozitans alike were anxiously watching out for the relieving flame to crown the probe oil drilling tower set up at the outskirts of our village of Kerċem. Alas, no flame appeared and all our problems remained unsolved. Today nothing reminds of the bustling atmosphere that reigned around this solitary field in Kerċem those days.

But from time to time we have those same feelings in the air. Someone, a politician, an entrepreneur or a so-called daily commuter raises the issue of a causeway, a tunnel, a runway or a cable car connection between Gozo and Malta. Mind you, I am in favour of a tunnel as in those days I was in favour of Malta finding oil beneath our village of Kerċem. But unlike many others I do not think that this will solve our problems. The problems of Gozo cited by the proponents of an all-weather connection mainly consist of the exodus of young Gozitans because these do not find work in Gozo. This is a real problem. Would it be solved by the magic tunnel? The Gozitan medical specialist would still have to travel for at least two hours a day from Victoria to Msida and back home. The same person will still have to fork out around €30 a day (return) in toll and he would still consider the option of finding permanent accommodation in Malta somewhere near the Mater Dei.

If the tunnel administration is constrained to grant discounts to certain groups of people, the Gozitan specialist will probably have to pay even more. The same could be said for Maltese and tourists crossing over to Gozo. This in turn would make an alternative sea route much more viable. Such a route would take business away from the tunnel thus exerting higher pressure on the tunnel administration to further increase the toll. The alternative to this would be a high state subsidy for the running of the tunnel. This would some day or other turn into a price hike for the consumer as has been the case with Enemalta prices during these last two years. Those Gozitans who will have to work and study in Malta will continue facing a future where it is more convenient for them to settle in Malta rather than commute to Gozo on a daily basis.

A tunnel will only be a solution for those five to 10 days a year when the ferry cannot make it and I acknowledge this fact. This causes a hardship. But a tunnel will not necessarily translate into more investment in Gozo unless the transport costs are heavily subsidised.

Down to earth politicians were always aware of this situation and they have done a lot to address this problem. The ferry connection between Malta and Gozo has been extensively improved. Gozo has now an all-weather port, something the Malta side failed to achieve for the Gozo ferries. They planned and built factories, a hospital, laid much better underwater cables for the energy supply and transferred to Gozo several departments that Gozitans could only formerly reach in Malta. But much more has to be done.

There are some initiatives that really do not cost the earth for the provision of more quality work in Gozo for all sectors of society so that more young people could settle in Gozo. The Gozo hospital could be upgraded with some areas of specialisation, such as a centre for heart diseases and alternative cancer therapy. Likewise, the Gozo hospital could be extended with a sizeable palliative care centre.

Gozo could obtain two centres of excellence, perhaps in the field of renewable energy and of marine biology not only for Gozitan students. Until we have our own experts to run such centres one could consider a deal with retired experts from Europe. Finally one should continue improving eco-Gozo in addition to the concept of energy self-sufficiency.

Even if a tunnel is built, we would need such projects to achieve a better quality of life for those who live in Gozo. Sometimes politicians unleash fantastic plans to spare themselves from dirtying their hands with more necessary work. As Gozitans, we have learned that we have to help ourselves since nobody owes us a living.

■ Agnes Debono

Kerċem