An old Greek proverb says that “the beginning is half of every action”. It has – and always will be – my guide while serving in a public office. Getting things started is a must if I intend reaching the targets I have set myself at the helm of the Gozo Ministry.

Getting started

This past week has marked the beginning of the government’s legislative programme, with numerous parliamentary sittings. It is in itself admirable that in only a few weeks since a snap election was called, the second Labour government, confirmed by an even stronger majority, is already fully geared up and at work. As with all my colleagues with their respective portfolios, I have been extensively engaged in getting things started through introductory and constructive meetings with Gozitan constituted bodies.

At a very interesting meeting with the Gozo Business Chamber we reviewed the current situation and issues that need to be addressed. It was noted that the recent economic growth needs to be nurtured and further supported through innovative measures – and corrective ones as needs may be – in order to maintain the momentum and reach higher achievements. Within this perspective I have indicated that the election manifesto proposals are feasible, have been diligently costed and purposely intended to maintain the standards already reached and enhance them.

It was agreed that mutual collaboration is a must in all future endeavours. Major projects should ensure that the business sector enjoys a good return within the general economic impact. We also reviewed the modus operandi between the Gozo Ministry and the Business Chamber, suggesting more inclusion for the Chamber in ministerial processes involving major investment. Gozitan entrepreneurs are a major force within Gozo’s economy.  

An important issue discussed was that of the skills gap, in respect of which we need further analysis, particularly in view of trends by Gozitan workers in terms of careers and employment. I must say that this was a very positive meeting in that we agreed that closer cooperation will result in better economic development for Gozo, creating more wealth and job opportunities.

Heritage and culture

Along with many of my fellow Gozitans, I have always believed that our island is amazingly rich in its cultural heritage and I will certainly do my utmost to make it a central part of an incessant process for national and international awareness – particularly for its uniqueness. I enjoyed meeting members of Fondazzjoni Wirt Għawdex (Gozo Heritage Foundation) who have been active in the field of preserving historical sites since 1981. Here again, we highlighted the importance of collaborating in the protection and restoration of such a tangible heritage with a view to promoting them for further public appreciation.

My Ministry intends to seek all possible ways of supporting Gozo’s heritage, fully aware of its importance in the island’s identity. This is another area for which there were specific proposals in our election programme that will be implemented in the coming weeks, months and years, this also includes Ghar Gherduf. All this can only be achieved with the support of committed people such as those with Wirt Għawdex and all other stakeholders.  

Gozo’s attractions are well known away from our shores and it was a pleasure being interviewed for the popular Italian Mediaset network television show Mela Verde. This weekly programme, ably presented by Edoardo Raspelli and Ellen Hidding, is about traditional, agricultural and environmental attractions around the Italian peninsula and its immediate neighbours and Gozo has caught their attention. I was happy to take this opportunity to promote the particular kind of serenity and heritage that our island can offer to its thousands of visitors all year round.

‘Oasi’ – 25 years on

My past commitments in the social solidarity sector will always keep me very close to all the challenges and initiatives for and among vulnerable people. The Oasi Foundation is a landmark institution which, for 25 years, has highly contributed to Gozo’s social and family life. The services it offers – actively coordinated by its founder, Fr Manuel Cordina – are of the highest level, the commitment of its carers and workers, with their high professional training, is second to none and it blends perfectly with the strong volunteering spirit with which the Gozitan community is blessed.

At the end of a thanksgiving Mass to commemorate the 25 years since Oasi’s inception, I praised Fr Cordina’s socio-pastoral dedication in being there through thick and thin for the victims of drug and alcohol and others who have fallen by the wayside of a normal life. Fr Cordina and his team have been a constant source of support in helping scores of vulnerable people free themselves from addiction and return to a more responsible and dignified way of life. This government has constantly supported these people and is committed to help them emerge from such circumstances, defeat the unfair stigma sometimes attached to them and provide the necessary tools to develop existing or new skills that will encourage them to achieve independence.

These are the kind of things that inspire everyone involved in the service of the community – whether it be political, spiritual or social – into closer cooperation to provide a better quality life and better times for people and their families. I have always known the people of Gozo as very resilient when it comes to facing up to challenges and transforming them into opportunities that bring out the strong character of good citizenship. My time as Minister for Gozo will build upon this distinct social heritage and I have committed myself to exploring all possible ways of strengthening it.

The young and the old

Two opportunities on Friday brought me in close touch with both the younger and the older sections of society in Gozo. It was a matter of personal pride for me to be able to announce that, at long last, we have cleared all the waiting lists for ‘Home-help’ services to older people who have chosen to remain living within the community. During the previous week, I had directed an effective exercise for an efficient mechanism through which requests for home-help services are processed without any unnecessary delays, and the clearing of the waiting list for this service confirms our determined commitment to an efficient and quality approach.

Later on in the day I addressed an enthusiastic group of Year 8 students who will, in the new scholastic year, be integrated with the modern co-ed system. The secondary phase brings them closer to choosing a career, and I reminded them that the country can now offer vast opportunities in sectors where there are not yet the necessary numbers to fill such jobs. The new group can look ahead and, with Labour’s proposals for creating further employment in Gozo, can aspire to achieve their goals through diligent academic preparation in the years to come.