Prime Minister Robert Abela, it seems, has always recognised Gozo as more than just a geographical place. For any Maltese PM, the island becomes a stage, really, where promises need to travel across the channel right along with the leader himself. Pledges concerning hospitals, maybe schools, or even just ferries, well, they carry a lot more weight than words spoken back in Castille. Since way back in 2022, Abela's been making these trips frequently - sometimes celebrating various projects, sometimes trying to calm anxieties, and, often enough, just rallying the party followers. Each visit kind of tells a story about how the government views the sister island, and, just as importantly, how Gozo sees itself. 

Back in February of 2022, Abela was in Għajnsielem opening 'Dar Madonna ta' Pinu', a residence for grown-ups with disabilities. This project, costing around €800,000, met a clear community need for more semi-independent living options. Two weeks later, he was standing in Qala, promising a breakwater at Marsalforn - an idea that had been floating around for what seemed like decades. Then, just two weeks later again, the PM returned to Gozo, but this time not to make a promise, but to join in prayer. Pope Francis came to Ta' Pinu on April 2, 2022. Abela joined the President, George Vella, alongside church leaders to greet the Pope. The island's reputation took a boost, sure, but Gozitans soon got back to addressing their everyday concerns. 

By March of 2023, healthcare was front and centre. A court had scrapped the private hospitals concession, and so in Xagħra, Abela promised Gozitans a brand-new general hospital. He said that work would get started during this legislature, wanting to reassure both patients and the staff. And yet, two years down the line, there still aren't any cranes on the site, and the old hospital? Well, it's still just barely getting by. Fast forward to September of 2023, Abela was back in Victoria to launch a ten-year development strategy for the region. He made promises that Gozo would be aiming to achieve carbon neutrality, and that the plan, drafted by Gozitans themselves, would be the way forward. The government, he claimed, would balance growth with the needs of the environment. He gave this speech at the Citadel, lending it some weight.

Meanwhile many Gozitans couldn't help but wonder just why the Marsalforn-Victoria road had descended into such a chaotic state. Big, heavy machinery tore the whole route up, traffic got redirected through the narrow streets of Xagħra, and nobody seemed to know when it would all be done. Businesses over in Marsalforn watched their customers disappear, residents dealt with endless traffic jams, and this diversion? It became something of a running joke about just how inefficient the government could be. 

This feeling of neglect isn't just limited to Marsalforn. People noticed that the €700 million Infrastructure Malta programme never even touched Gozo. The roads are in terrible state getting worse after each rainfall. Nearly half of all vehicles that arrive on Gozo have to manoeuvre their way through Manikata, along a narrow road without any signs or lights - just plain unsafe, really. Years and years of complaints, yet, not a single thing's been done. Even worse, the road's actually been rerouted through the quiet village itself, bringing all those heavy vehicles right to residents' front doors. Ministers keep arguing about jurisdiction, but no one wants to take responsibility for this crucial road. For those who commute, the difference is pretty stark. They see all these multi-lane upgrades happening across Malta, yet their lifeline road remains a danger, seemingly belonging to absolutely no one. 

By early 2024, Abela seemed to shift his tone. Back in January, he made sure to highlight the €22 million that had been invested in Gozo's economy, and also pointed out some pressing needs at the hospital, including a CT scanner and an MRI machine. Then in April, he declared that Gozo would be setting the gold standard when it comes to sustainable development. However, critics were quick to point to the cranes piercing the sky over in Nadur and Xewkija, and to all the congestion choking Victoria. Gozo is still waiting for real solutions for the traffic problems. The Victoria ring road, meant to link all the northern villages, it's still just wishful thinking. And the parking shortage in Victoria? It forces cars to creep slowly around these narrow streets, and there aren't any underground facilities in sight. Gozitans see all these new car parks popping up over in Malta, but not on their own island. 

Then, in February of 2025, Abela inaugurated some brand-new housing in Taċ-Ċawla, a block containing eight apartments. It was a move that addressed the need for homes that people could actually afford, but it barely scratched the surface of the problem. In April, he was back yet again. Abela's focus shifted noticeably around June 2025. Following talks with the entire cabinet regarding Malta Vision 2050, he highlighted Gozo as an example of sustainability. Then, just two days later, he inaugurated a pair of new schools in Victoria. This €18 million campus replaced older facilities; parents were impressed by the modern classrooms, and the children had a chance to meet the Prime Minister. He framed it as an investment in their futures, though parents continue to deal with inadequate parking and deteriorating roads when dropping off their children, just outside the school gates. 

The visit to Hutchinson in Xewkija Industrial Estate saw Abela commend a €6 million investment in new machinery. He similarly praised Magro Brothers for their €12.5 million expansion. Despite the factory expansions, the ferries are still under immense pressure. The aging Gozo Channel fleet struggles to keep up, supplemented by the wet-leased Greek vessel Nikolaos, which provides a somewhat patchy service. Plans for new ships remain distant, forgotten. Meanwhile the Mgarr terminal deals with long queues during the summer, with slow expansion leaving residents and visitors stuck in lengthy lines.

September 2025 culminated in a series of announcements. Speaking in Xewkija, during a pre-budget consultation, Abela referenced record low unemployment figures alongside rising tourist numbers. His government committed of €60 million for green urban projects, including new schools and open spaces. Ministers stood behind him, showcasing collective support. Later that evening, he opened the long-awaited 'Sports and aquatic pavilion' in Victoria. Following years of delays and budget increases, the Olympic pool and indoor arena were finally open for use. The PM hailed it as a momentous occasion and assured more projects under the urban fund. Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri stated it was the fulfilment of a long-standing promise. Athletes cheered, swimmers dived into the pool, and Gozo finally had access to a facility that Malta had enjoyed for quite a while. But the entire episode served to reinforce a certain suspicion: that Gozo's projects often arrive late, exceed their budgets, and only after an extended period of waiting. 

Gozitans listen, reacting politely, to promises of law courts that never materialise, hospitals whose construction never commences, roads that remain unfinished, ferries that are perpetually delayed, terminals that fail to expand, and parking facilities that never seem to be built. They keep track of the years as projects in Malta progress more rapidly and on a grander scale. The Prime Minister understands that this scepticism is deeply entrenched; hence his frequent visits, loud announcements, and selective project deliveries. The sports centre, now completed, is both a testament to eventual delivery and a monument to the delays experienced. Each ferry trip the Prime Minister makes involves political calculations. Every speech is designed to persuade Gozitans that the government is treating it equally. The stark contrast, however, between Malta's billions and Gozo's millions remains a point of contention. For many, the pattern feels a little too familiar, honestly. Gozo continues to wait, while Robert Abela continues to make promises.