“The motive behind criticism often determines its validity. Those who care, criticise where necessary. Those who envy, criticise the moment they think that they have found a weak spot.”  Criss Jami, American philosopher

 

This week’s raging storm epitomised the hardships faced by us Gozitans during the winter months. Whilst it is rare for our capable Gozo Channel employees to suspend operations, the gale-force south, south-east winds on Tuesday made it impossible for our ferries to make the crossings safely. This meant that thousands of Gozitans were left stranded in Cirkewwa. As a Gozitan, I have experienced rough sea crossings countless times and know how stressful and tiring travelling to and from the mainland can be. Being left stranded after a long day studying or working, with no place to go to, further compounds every Gozitan’s woes.

 

Addressing citizens’ woes

As both a politician and a mother, my heart went out to my fellow Gozitans. Constant contact was kept with the Gozo Channel management, who did their utmost to keep the ferry crossings open, but who had to give in to the inclement weather and suspend all services until the following day. 

Together with my team, I set about providing accommodation and shelter for the long night ahead – the first time ever that the Gozo Ministry has taken such a stand. Numerous hotels were contacted and the response was overwhelming. In fact, beds – including food for the night – were found for everyone who wished to have a restful night in comfortable surroundings. In my opinion, returning to one’s place of work or study the following day, refreshed and rested, is a basic right that had to be addressed in such a situation.

Maltese workers stuck on Gozo were also catered for. This was the least I could do for my fellow compatriots. The Gozo Ministry will be assisting financially to cover the cost and all Gozitans and Maltese workers and students have been instructed to forward their receipts so they can be reimbursed accordingly. Similar arrangements were also made through the Health Ministry for patients and their relatives.

This initiative was immediately endorsed by the Government and is testimony to Labour’s determination to address Gozitans’ particular hardships hands-on. Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words. This Government is responsive to the demands and needs of its citizens, proof of which was the immediate and positive response to the hardship faced by Gozitans last Tuesday. Unity, inclusivity and comradeship are well and truly what stands out in the aftermath of Tuesday’s ‘perfect storm’. These are the precise moments where sustainability and surpluses in Government finances give us the luxury of ensuring immediate support in unforeseen circumstances.

 

My commitment

This falls within my very first comments as Minister for Gozo in 2017, when I committed myself to place Gozo on top of the national agenda. Today, two years on, the island’s fortunes have been reversed. Gozo is now a direct contributor to the national economy and is reaping the benefits of the Labour Government’s vision for a country where social and distributive justice reign supreme.

The facts indicate that now is the time for us Gozitans to work as one cohesive team. I am proud to say that my Ministry has built an open dialogue with all constituted bodies and it is worth noting that the Gozitan business community is responding positively to new realities. The old way of doing business is dead: we are now living in a time where models that incentivise the pursuit of good are essential for the sustainability of our island. The trend towards responsible corporate citizenship has well and truly taken hold. This positive attitude encourages us to tackle Gozo’s challenges head on through policies and incentives laid down by the Government for the betterment of our island.

 

Corporate citizenship

Thanks to the dynamic synergy between my Ministry and the Gozitan business community, the island’s economy has reached positive new heights and has increased Malta’s economic growth by two per cent. We are experiencing the lowest unemployment rate in history, with the eradication of seasonality in the tourism sector and continuous investment in the infrastructure and capital projects. This is made possible through Government and European Union funds used to the maximum diligently and constructively throughout.

The Gozitan economic activity and general feel-good factor is tangible and continuous. Our long-term plan for Gozo is taking shape and we are already reaping the fruits of our labour. The economic successes of our island, however, translate into careful sustainable measures that safeguard our natural environment and socio-cultural heritage.

This is the reason why I pushed forward the Gozo’s Regional Development Authority. This Authority will ensure that Gozo’s regional distinctiveness is economically sustainable and its social development is continuous. It will focus on consolidation, remediation and sustaining growth, developing distinctiveness and territorial attractiveness and launching Gozo as a paragon in regional development.

 

Our collective success

I am determined to continue finalising all the projects planned for Gozo with accountability and integrity. It is a pity that certain dark forces still try to paint a picture reminiscent of the pre-2013 lacklustre, irresponsible and untenable practices of a decadent administration – that has spurred Gozitans to abandon the old guard and vote in ever-increasing numbers for a Labour Government, in both 2013 and in 2017.

Those who criticise others often reveal what they themselves lack or have lacked in the past. This rings true of the baseless and puerile criticism lambasting each and every incentive aimed at bettering the prospects of our island and sowing doubt where no doubt should be.  It is ironic that our most vociferous critics are the very same people who, for 25 whole years, had the opportunity to address Gozo’s challenges head-on but chose to bury their heads in the sand and let nature take its course. The result of that attitude was a de-motivated, depressed and fatalistic populace living on a run-down island which, once in a while, was gifted with a cursory last-minute cosmetic facelift in the hope that something appeared to have been done when, in fact, total abandonment was the order of the day.

The attitude of Gozitans towards the previous administration’s mentality has not been forgotten. They know which side their bread is buttered, have experienced the fruits of responsible and transparent governance and are not fooled by the Opposition’s attempts to undermine and impede my Ministry’s determination to place Gozo at the top of the national agenda.

 

'Gozo Day' in Parliament

I wish to make myself clear and, yes, reaffirm that all criticism and manoeuvres aimed at halting Gozo’s progress will be counterbalanced by even more hard work and incentives that will prove all the doom-mongers wrong. Orchestrated criticism – particularly on social media and in certain sections of the press – will not hold water because the hard work and tangible results of this Government’s plan for the island are there for all to see. Constructive and honest criticism, on the other hand, is more than welcome and suggestions that will help improve my Ministry’s endeavours for a better Gozo will most certainly be taken on board and integrated.

As Minister I know that, without the full cooperation of all stake-holders, our ambitious plan for Gozo will not be completed. This is why Gozo Day in Parliament, a few days ago, was an incentive for which I pushed hard. My Ministry, together with all Gozitan MPs, constituted bodies and NGOs, assembled in the Parliament building to discuss and plan the way forward for a better Gozo.

As I stressed during this proactive encounter, I encourage all stake-holders to come on board and be active protagonists in the creation of the Gozitan Golden Age. Working together as one community, out of a genuine love for our beautiful island, is proof that we Gozitans always rise to the occasion and turn challenges into successes.