Eco-Gozo and Ta' Lambert - Xewkija

During an on-site visit to Ta' Lambert on Thursday 5th March, Dr Arnold Cassola, Chairperson for Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), accompanied by other Gozo Regional Committee members of the Green Party in Gozo, remarked, that it seems that either the Authorities are turning a blind eye to certain individuals who are above the law, or, that the Government, contrary to its much-vaunted eco-Gozo campaign, is hell-bent to irreparably harm the long term sustainability of Gozo as a quality tourist destination.


The Ta’ Lambert site, adjacent to the defunct Gozo Heliport in Xewkija, is now being turned into a bulky refuse area, where waste is being discarded by heavy vehicles that could easily be monitored and apprehended. On the one hand Government attempts to brand itself as being environmentally conscious, and then here at Ta’ Lambert we have visual proof of Government’s failure with regards to waste management.



Prof Cassola also remarked that it is futile for the Prime Minister to declare that his government will adopt Alternattiva Demokratika’s green policies to turn Gozo into an ecological island.

The Nationalist Party either did not fully comprehend AD’s green policies, or failed to weigh up the consequences of tourist complaints for the foul smells and country eyesores in areas like Ta’ Lambert in Xewkija. Tourists are encouraged to take country walks, and such embarrassing illegal smelly black spots are often encountered. The area is also turning into a parking space for construction and heavy plant machinery which are a huge eyesore to the marvellous countryside around.

The Xewkija Local Council, composed of a majority of Labour council members, pretends to be the victim of this sad state of affairs, but then it has not taken any action whatsoever. Alternattiva Demokratika is well informed that a number of upright public spirited individuals did approach the Xewkija Labour mayor, and that they did provide information on a named contractor who takes the law in his own hands discarding waste in this area. On the other hand, the nationalist-led Ghajnsielem local Concil in which Ta’ Lambert area also falls, is also dead silent on this issue. The person or authority that fails to take action is in law an accomplice to this crime.

During this press conference at Ta' Lambert, I remarked that “It is of utmost importance that the Gozo Ministry recognizes instantly and permanently that the protection of such areas in the Gozo countryside, and pertinent heritage sites help to enrich various tourist niches that embellish the Gozo product. It is a fact that tourists seek Gozo as a destination specifically for its natural environment”.

“This smelly garbage site at Ta’ Lambert growing daily in front of a blindfolded compliant authority is scandalous and a shame. We need to clean up this site and under the supervision of professional archaeologists restore this heritage to the nation”.



I would like to appeal to the Gozo Associations, especially, the Gozo Tourist Association (GTA) and the Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) to actively lead in all matters that benefit the island and to have the courage to shed off political alliances that may hinder Gozo’s development as a true European region.

Budget 2009: giving Gozitans what they deserve!

It is very true that the General Election is nowhere near. You can tell by the reaction to the Budget 2009 by the two 'main' Gozitan entities called:

1) Gozo Business Chamber

2) Gozo Tourism Association

What did these two organisations have to say about this buget? NOTHING! At least up to now: NOTHING.

Did you ever hear about the phrase fart catchers? Well here you have an example!

Usually in the past two years we read a lot of appluads to the Gozo Minister. This time, these businessmen seem not to be effected by the increase of the price of the diesel and petrol. Nor are they showing concern about the massive increase in the water and electricity bills.


well well.... Much can be said about respect and self respect! How can we gozitans expect other to respect us if we do not respect ourselves in the first place?

BUDGET MEASURES EFFECTING GOZITANS: AD'S REACTIONS



At a Press Conference held in Gozo, Arnold Cassola, Chairperson Alternattiva Demokratika, stated that, once again, the measures planned for Gozo lacked precise time frames to indicate the start and expected completion dates of the projected reforms.

Government's declared intention to embark on a reform of the public transport service as a first priority is praiseworthy. However, it is not known when this exercise is due to be finalised nor has any reference been made to the Gozo Channel monopoly which is supposed to end by this year.

I commended the Government on its commitment to develop Gozo's economic activities based on the principle of sustainability and specifically aimed at substantially improving the tourist product. I also praised Government's plans to consolidate the fishing and agricultural sector and the promotion of organic farming. However, against this overall positive background, Government needs to explain why it has not yet put an end to all the speculation about the Ta' Cenc and Ramla l-Hamra projects by declaring its firm and unequivocal rejection of both projects which run counter to any sound agricultural policy. Furthermore, Government has failed to declare its position on the proposed marina and tourist village projects at Hondoq ir-Rummien which surely prejudice any attempt to promote sustainable tourism. Moreover, the new water and electricity bills are going to affect the few manufacture industries left in Gozo as well as the tourist industry.

With reference to Gozo's natural resources, Ireiterated that the Government should do all that is possible to distribute second class water, produced from the sewage treatment plant, to farmers, instead of wasting it by throwing it into the sea. I also referred to the fact that, despite the expenditure of over 6 million euro on Capital Projects, the Ministry did not manage to find the necessary funds to complete the two important roads from Dwejra to San Lawrenz and the main road from the Heliport to Rabat. I augured that Government will not only keep its word to finalise these road projects but also ensure that all the funds allocated are spent with due diligence and will not repeat situations where projects are stopped soon after inception due to lack of funds, as happened in the case of the Mgarr Terminal (from LM4 Million the expenses went up to Lm15Million!).

The Green Party has also noted that, while Government recognises the need for the creation of new jobs in Gozo, it has failed to announce any concrete measures. All that was mentioned for 2009 was a joint action plan between the Ministry for Gozo and Malta Enterprise.

Prof. Arnold Cassola stressed that the only way to create jobs in Gozo is by putting an end, once and for all, to the existing culture of clientelism and by giving due encouragement and assistance to all those, irrespective of their political leanings, who are ready to help in the sustainable development of existing jobs and in the creation of new ones.

Arnold Cassola commented on the effects of the petrol and diesel price hikes and explained how these “will adversely affect Gozitan Workers twicefold”. “Owing to the inefficient public transport service in Malta and Gozo, workers have no alternative but to use their own cars to go to work in Malta at considerable expense”.

Prof. Cassola concluded by strongly recommending that the frequency of the public transport service from Cirkewwa to the University should, at least, be doubled and that the operating hours should be better adjusted. These measures would go a long way in helping to reduce the hassle and stress currently being faced by the over 900 Gozitan students commuting to Malta.