Gozo Ministry punishing the Victoria Local Council

Every Gozitan is fully aware of the rivalry between the Gozo Ministry and anybody who may be influential in the feudal island of Gozo. This is no secret!

One may remember that few years ago the Circolo Gozitano was publishing a monthly Gozitan newspaper called 'The Edge'. This was also destroyed just after few months of its publications.

I have to say that the Victoria Mayor had been trying his best to initiate a number of initiatives in his locality, but the lack of support or rather dismissal from the Ministry for Gozo is so evident.

What is now happening at the Cittadella is a case in point:

Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) - The Green Party welcomes the fact that EU funding is being used for the drawing up of a Master Plan for Cittadella, Gozo. However, AD has serious doubts about the process that was used during the selection process for the adjudication of the tender when groups with much more experience were discarded in favour of a University department that has no experience in the drawing up of master plans.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson and Candidate for European elections, stated: “AD is informed that among the groups that had shown interest one found the top international and local experts in the various fields. The ‘company’ chosen, or rather the University group, is in fact -as the Ministry statement itself states-, engaging a number of foreign and local experts to draw up its reports as it itself has no experience in this field. Furthermore, master plans are drawn up over twelve months so that a full weather cycle is taken into consideration.”

I added that AD hopes that there will be a genuine consultation with all stakeholders and all those that have a particular interest in the site. AD cannot understand why the Rabat Local Council was not involved at all up to now and hopes that it will be seriously involved at this stage. No serious plan for Cittadella can be done without a proper study of the problems relating to the historic core of Victoria”.

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, AD candidate for European elections, said that: “AD insists that the Church and Heritage Malta, the two prime stake holders, will be involved in a serious manner at all stages and not quite excluded, as has happened up to now. Furthermore it is hoped that the Master Plan also includes a Management Plan for the Cittadella”.

Prof. Arnold Cassola concluded: “The Green Party hopes that the Government will go ahead with nominating the Cittadella and the historic core of Victoria for listing under the UNESCO World Heritage List”.

Watch this video:

Affarijet li jsiriw biss f'Għawdix

Wara li nkixif li r-Reġistriw Pubblikiw u r-Reġistriw ta' l-Artijet se jkuniw 'rilokati temporanjament ' fil-lukanda Downtown Ltd. il-Ministriw għall-Għawdix ħerġit stqarrije bex tiċċura xi affarijet. Araw ftejt:

"Dan ser isir wara li l-Ministeru għal Għawdex ħareġ sejħa għal turija ta’ interess fil-gazzetti lokali kollha. F’din is-sejħa tniżżlu l-ħtiġijiet bażiċi li kien hemm bżonn għal dan il-għan. Il-fatti huma illi li l-offerta ta’ Downtown Ltd kienet t-tieni l-orħos mill-offerti kollha li kienu sottomessi, u peress li min kien tefa’ l-orħos offerta reġa’ bdielu u sussegwentement irtira din l-offerta, l-għażla ovvjament waqgħet fuq it-tieni l-orħos offerta, jiġifieri dik ta’ Downtown Ltd. Wara li l-Ministeru għal Għawdex kiseb l-approvazzjoni meħtieġa mill-Ministeru tal-Finanzi, l-Ekonomija u Investiment, l-offerta ngħatat lil Downtown Ltd. Għalhekk ma huma bl-ebda mod korretti l-insinwazzjonijiet li saru, aktar u aktar meta intqal li wieħed mis-sidien tad-Downtown, Joseph Portelli “hu magħruf għal ħbiberija ma’ Giovanna Debono”.

Naħsib li għadim ma tgħallmiwx kejf juħurġow it-tendirs in-Nazzjunalistej wara tont zmen fil-gvern! U ħelline!

U kejf ussa ndunaw tal-Ministiriw li l-ispuzjow eżistentej hiw limitot? Bonġow Ministriw. Don partuj mill-eku ta' Ghawdix jew?

Viva l-ħbieb tal-ħbieb :)

Have you been to Salty Valley?

I remember well that many years ago, one of my nephews was here from Australia. I was still little. My brother Charlie told me to take his son to 'Wied il-Mielah'. I did and was happy to show my nephew around and explaining in 'English' the environs. And I thought that in English, 'Wied il-Mielah' should be translated into 'Salty Valley'. How funny.

I still remember the smell of drainage in this beautiful valley. In those years there were no commemorative marble plaques showing that EU dignitaries who visited the valley and no indications of the ceremonies which were to be held to celebrate the Euros from EU funding project for the rehabilitation of the valley.

Indeed, every now and then, we hear the Gharb PN Mayor and his Minister Govanna psoing for photos for the press on this site, in order to say that Gozo is to continue enjoying EU Funds, as the Gharb Local Council has succeeded in obtaining further funds for the Rehabilitation of Wied il-Mielah - not 'salty valley' anymore, but still an open drainage reserviour. Perpahs the MEPA enforcement section may like to pay a visit now that the rain season started rather than coming to gozo on a nice sunny day in Summer!

"Wied il-Mielah – towards an ecologically and culturally sensitive sustainable tourism is the name of the €600,000 project, which will be co-financed by 85% from the European Regional Development Fund. The project will give a touristic dimension to the works already carried out whilst respecting the environment."

Now imagine the tourists on this site TODAY, walking amongst the drainage flow going down from the valley to the sea! the smell is unbearable!

It seems that the rehabilitation of the valley are solely used for the construction of rubble of walls and bridges which have been destroyed, cleaning of the valley basin and resurfacing the road leading to the valley in order to make it more accessible .... yes they want more cars on eco-Ghawdex!

"Attractions including rustic furniture" - where over the drainage flow?

"Observation binoculars and audio visual equipment will be installed." - why? Perhaps to see closely the illegal hunting and trapping taking place on-site?

"The project will compliment the works carried out through the first phase also through the Structural Funds Program for Malta 2004-2006"

I wonder....

I honestly wish well for this project, but alas, if you find it hard to believe me, please have a look at the photo with the drainage flow taken today. Don't hope for any comments from the Gozo Toursim Assosiation. They have no flats or Hotels in this area.

Thank god that you can't smell it from the comfort of your home.

It-Turisti...żibel...armihom...aħraqhom...keċċihom

Aleander Balzan huwa ġurnalist ieħor li nħoss li qed jipprometti ħafna f'dak li hu ġurnaliżmu investigattiv. Barra minnhekk, mill-mod kif jikteb jidher li għandu għal qalbu dak li fil-kotba jissejjah 'il-patrimonju Malti'.

Aleander huwa ġurnalist ma' Il-Kulħadd, u l-Ħadd li għadda kiteb rakkont interessanti li semmih "Teżor arkeoloġiku jinbidel f'miżbla". Nissuġġerilkom taqraw dan ir-rapport ta' Aleander billi tagħfas HAWN u tifmhu 'l ghaliex qed insemmi din l-entry fil-blog bit-titlu ta' 'It-Turisti...żibel eċċetra, eċċetra.


Irrid nirringrazzja lill-kunsillier ta' l-AD f' Ta' Sannat John Mizzi li għogbu jmur jieħu r-ritratti fl-inhawi Ta' Lambert fix-Xewjika, sewwa sew fuq ix-xaqliba l-oħra ta' Ta' Cenc - propju fejn hemm il-heliport u fejn xi tnejn tal-qalba qed ighidu li t-turiżmu f'Għawdex għandu bzonn l-airstip sabiex ikampa....ara l-blog tal-gozoairstrip hawnhekk.



Din id-darba John Mizzi ma ġiex arrestat talli mar jieħu dawn ir-ritratti f'dan il-post tal-biki. Tiftakar meta il-pulizija tar-renju t'Ghawdex ħassru r-ritratti kollha ta' John meta dan mar ħa r-ritratti f'Wied l-Infern waqt li tal-MEPA ġew inaddfu l-ħniżrijiet li għamel is-sindku taż-Żebbug? Jekk insejt, tista' taqra HAWN.



Imma tiġix tgħidli li int u tara dawn ir-ritratti ma tħossx rabja ġo fik tafx!


L-aktar meta is-Supretendent tal-Wirt Kulturali għadu kemm ippubblika r-rapport annawli tiegħu u appella lill-MEPA sabiex l-inħawi kollha f'Ta' Ċenċ ikunu protetti (skedati).

Mhux biss, iżda f'dan ir-rapport tiegħu, is-Supretendent saħaq li x-xaqliba l-oħra ta' Mġarr ix-Xini, cioe' in-naha tal-heliport magħrufa bħala Ta' Lambert, fadal siti arkeoloġici li għadhom
mhux tant maghrufa u ghaldaqstant jenħtiegu wkoll protezzjoni.

Propju dawn ir-ritratti li qed tara sieħeb!

Imma jekk tifli sew dawn ir-ritratti tibda tikkonferma li dan id-diskors bħal ħafna appelli oħra minn diversi sorsi, l-Awtoritajiet ta' Għawdex donnhom qed jipprteġu lil min imur u jeqred dawn l-inħawi fid-dawl tax-xemx.

U dan minkejja li l-gvern ta' maġġoranza relattiva (mhux aktar assoluta) jgħid (qabel l-elezzjoni) li ser jadotta l-vizjoni ta' l-Alternattiva Demokratika biex jibdel lil Għawdex fi gżira eku-loġika.


U allura kif ikkummentajt fir-rapport tal-gurnalist żgħażugħ Aleander, naħseb li għandi raġun ngħid li "jew il-Prim Ministru ma kienx jaf x'qiegħed jikkopja jew inkella tassew li l-pilastru ambjentali tmermer".

Meta tara dawn ir-ritratti tassew jaqbdek il-biki. Trid tkun bla skola kif igħidu, jew ala bieb il-ħanżira biex ma tgħidx x'arukaża!

Meta ser tifhem il-Ministru t'Għawdex illi l-ħarsien tal-kampanja u s-siti pre-istoriċi huma ta' valur enormi u jgħin fl-izvilupp ta' niċċa oħra ta' turiżmu li Ghawdex tant jista' jibbenefika minnha?

Possibbli għadha ma semgħetx li f'Għawdex jiġu wkoll turisti minħabba is-sbuħija naturali tal-gżira?

Biss biss jien naf ħbieb minn Malta li jgħiduli li jħobbu jżuru Għawdex propju minħabba l-kwiet u s-sbuħija naturali tiegħu!

Iltqajt ma' turisti li jżuru Għawdex propju minħabba r-rikkezzi fl-istorja tiegħu.

Naf ukoll nies li ġew Għawdex (u ħallew il-flus) propju 'l għaliex iħobbu jimxu fil-kampanja tagħna u jgawdu l-flora u l-fawna li huma biss jafu jsebbħu wiċċ gżiritna kif riedha Alla l-Imbierek.








Imma araw daqsejn dan ir-ritratt bil-kurċifiss fil-miżbla f'Ta' Lambert!





Min segwina qabel l-elezzjoni jiftakar li ħriġna manifest elettorali specifikament għal Għawdex u fost tant proposti oħra għamilna proposti ta' zviluppi ta' niċeċ ta' turiżmu differenti. (Ara HAWN). Semmjna fost l-ohrajn il-ħtieġa li jiġi żviluppat dak li jissejjaħ Turiżmu Reliġjuż. Jidher li anke hawnhekk infthemna ħażin ghax dan il-povru kurcifiss spiċċa twaħħal ftit ġimgħat ilu f'din il-miżbla Ta' Lambert, propju qrib il-bore hole tal-gvern. Tgħid dan ukoll parti mill-eku t'Ghawdex?




Kif qal sieħbi John Mizzi li għoġbu jieħu dawn ir-ritratti, "xi ħaġa tal-mistħija. Dan il-post irridu niehdu ħsiebu, irid jitnaddaf u meta jsir dan, irid isir taħt l-ispezzjonijiet ta' nies esperti biex ma jkomplux jintilfu strutturi storiċi".




U tiġux tgħiduli li kieku jien parti mill-kunsill lokali tax-Xewkija ħa noqgħod bi kwieti tafux!


Possibli li minn ħames kunsilliera (nazzjonalisti u laburisti) ħadd ma jagħmel plejtu? Kif ma semmietx dan id-diżastru meta is-sindkuwa attendiet il-famuża 'konsultazzjoni' dwar l-eku t'Għawdex fil-Wied tal-Lunzjata? Jien kont hemm u smajt sew x'intqal.



Tridni nibla' dak li jgħidu, jiġifieri "Ma nafux min?" u ejja come on!

Jew din hija kwistjoni li min jaghmel li jrid iwerwer bil-vot lil dawn in-nies li ivvutajtielhom sabiex suppost iħarsu l-lokal tagħhom?

Illallu kieku jien x'nagħmel!

U mhux għalhekk min hu ala bieb il-hanzira jigi jitmejjel mit-turisti? żibel....armihom..aħraqhom. F'kelma oħra....keċċihom.

U allura skużawni tafx, imma kif nista' ma nikritikax lil dik li tissejjah Assoċċjazzjoni tat-Turiżmu t'Għawdex (il-GTA)? Dawk tal-GTA li dritt wara kull budget joħorġu fuq in-NET tv igħidu proset proset proset.

Nemmen li hemm wieħed jew tnejn ġenwini fil-GTA, imma bħal kull organizzazzjoni f'Għawdex li tiġi kkontrollata fis-sistema tal-medju evu jew forsi aktar reċenti...sistema ta' politika fewdali; dawn il-ftit ikollhom jgħalqu ħalqhom.

Mhux jien imma.

The Gozo feudal system

I would like to thank our local newspapers for publishing the press statement regarding Dwejra: an example of a political feudal system. Read original press Statement by clicking HERE.

Although all papers published this (with the exception of Il-Mument and in-Nazzjon); they all change the original title - as if it is not true that in Gozo we have a feudal system. Malta Today (Sunday edition) might not have published this press statement since this was sent to ALL media on Saturday. However Malta Today journalist James Debono published the names behind this madness. Read by clicking HERE.

The press on Sunday helped in creating awareness that people do care and what is wrong is wrong no matter who does it. Right?

For Example:
The Independent on Sunday changed the title to: Illegal structures at Dwejra. Click HERE to read it. The editor kindly choose to publish the link to this blog.

The Times of Malta (on-line) changed the tile to: Dwejra eyesore still there, AD complains. Click HERE and read the amazing amount of comments on-line by caring people like yourself. This features as the most e-mailed and most read item on the Times on-line.

The Sunday Times also changed the title to: Concrete monstrosity in Dwejra still standing. by clicking HERE you can also read the edited version.

L-Orizzont also featured this in its back page and called it: Id-Dwejra -ġerħa ta' żviluppi illegali. A very good account also referring to this blog, read HERE.

The media on-line also gave an account of this example or the rule of the jungle (as my colleague Carmel Cacopardo stated.

For instance:

The MaltaMedia.com referred to this as 'Government called to act on concrete structure' read link HERE.

The di-ve.com called it, 'Large concrete building in Dwejra not yet removed' and they also published the photo sent with the press statement; watch HERE.

Even TheMaltaStar.com did publish an account related to this example of a political feudal system. They also however changed the title to: 'Monstrous concrete structure still there' Read this from the link HERE.

Surprise surprise... MaltaRightNow.com (PN run-website like in-Taghna and Mument) preferred not to mention anything related to what echoes in eco-gozo. As usual in their Gozo section they like to give prominence to the Gozo Curia and religious events organised by particular priests and other things like this one HERE.

All in all, I am satisfied with the start of knocking down this concrete monster by creating a national awareness regarding this eyesore.


Next step is for our 300 AD 1st count voters, the many hundreds of 2nd preference voters and thousands of AD sympathizers to give feedback regarding the eco-Ghawdex project.

All households in Gozo received a lovely recycled flyer where our Minister is asking for ideas related to the Eco-Ghawdex project.

I already filled mine and sent it. Please fill in your (unless you already threw it in the bin).

Please note that no postage stamp is necessary if posted in Malta or Gozo.



I wrote thus, and you can easily remember the tune from The Sound of Music. Click on the video clip below in order to remind you the tune (just in case):

"Hi Minister for ALL the affiars and anything one needs from the state of Gozo,

Let's start from the very beginning....
a very good way to start....
when you preach you can say what you did and can do....
knock it down and you loose just one vote,
but can win none but some credibility.
PULL DOWN THE DWEJRA CONCRETE MONSTER

Thank you.

Victor Galea
from Gharb Ghawdex."

Change the tune: "Yes, alone everything is possible."

Recently, we, The Green Party (AD) praised the Nationalist Government for promising that Gozo will be turned into an Ecological island, an idea that had been put forward by Alternattiva Demokratika, two years ago.

I was one of the first who wrote to the Minister of Gozo and asked for an official meeting so that AD could submit its proposals so that this electoral promise could become a reality.

Those able to follow what we are proposing, we tailored an electoral manifesto specifically for Gozo which would create new, modern sustainable jobs and which would ensure the protection of the environment whilst promoting high quality tourism. (Read Here) .

Now that the government is adopting AD's political position, I feel that it is appropriate that we be the first to support the concept of an Eco-Gozo and offer our proposals to the Consultation Process which we hope will also be adopted by the Government.

Innovation of this magnitude calls for the involvement of all Gozitans and Alternattiva Demokratika is keen to share its knowledge and expertise.

In spite of the fact that nobody from Alternattiva Demokratika was invited for the official opening of the consultation process for Eco-Gozo, I attended anyway and also put forward to the Minister verbally our request for dialogue on the subject.

Despite that I already sent two reminders to the personal assistant of Govanna Debono, we received no reply at all.

I also e-mailed from the eco-gozo website set-up by the Gozo Minister informing that we are ready to sponsor this project even though our finances are extremely limited. What did I receive back? I simply got an automatic reply from her webmaster saying
"Thank you for your feedback".

What a pity!

While I hope that the Minister for Gozo grants the request of AD for this dialogue, we hope that the Ministry for Gozo does not work in isolation but with other experts so that this ambitious project reflects a true representative democracy.

We also hope that the Minister for Gozo recognizes the whole of civil society as well as the contribution of individual entities which do not necessarily work closely with the Nationalist Party.

Eco-Gozo has to transcend party politics and this would be for the purpose of the Maltese public's full enjoyment of Gozo or whoever gets to visit the Island. At the end of the day, this project is for benefit of the future generation and not simply those who are going to vote in the next election.

don't you agree?

Cheers

Victor

Echo-Ghawdex

Il-bierah sirt naf li l-Ministru ta' Ghawdex ser taghmel launch ta' porcess konsultattiv dwar l-eco-Ghawdex fil-Wied tal-Lunzjata.

S'intendi ma kontx mistieden. Kont kurjuz li mmur u nara min huma l-mistednin. X'seta gara? Ma jhallunix immur il-Wied?

Mort. Jien u niezel bdew gejjin il-memorji ta' meta ghamilt 9 snin nahdem f'dan il-Wied tal-Lunzjata. Bhala ghalliem kont niehu l-klassijiet t'Ghawdex jaghmlu fieldwork f'dan il-wied. Lill-istudenti kont inqassamhom fi grupp u min jistudja l-ghasafar tal-post, min jaghmel survey dwar iz-zibel li jingabar fil-wied, min jahdem fuq il-pjanti tal-wied, min jaghmel esperimenti marbuta mat-temp....Insomma kont nivvinta u kont noghxa nara t-tfal jitghallmu u fl-istess hin jiehdu pjacir. Ghadni sallum niltaqa ma xi tfal (illum tfajliet u guvintur) u jghadduli kumment: "Tiftakar sir meta kont tehodna il-Lunzjata?"

"U zgur li niftakar!"

Imma illum ma mortx nara 'hands-on activity' tafux. Ma kienx hemm wisq x'taqbad - u ifhmuni.

Mort nisma u nosserva.

Lhaqt bicca mid-diskors ferm sabih tal-Ministru dwar kemm il-Gvern qed jaghmel favur l-ambjent t'Ghawdex....diskors li int tista' taqrah specjalment fuq il-mezzi tal-media tal-PN inkluz l-editorjali tat-Times u s-Sunday Times.

Min kienu l-mistednin allura?

hehehehehe

Is-sindki tal-Kunsilli tal-villaggi sbieh u pittoreski tal-gzira ekologika :)

Iva...kien hemm is-sindku li qabel l-elezzjoni li ghaddiet tnejjek wahda bin-nies zul minn hemm. (AQRA HAWN).

Is-sindku li tghidx kemm tefa' terrapien f'wied tant li tal-MEPA marru jnaddfuh warajh u min fuq arrestaw lil Kunsillier ta' l-AD John Mizzi talli mar jiehu r-ritratti (AQARA HAWN)

Is-Sindku li mela' l-irdumijiet tas-Sanap fil-Munxar bil-konkos (AQRA HAWN)

U nista' nibqa nsemmi wiehed/wahda wara l-ohra....

Interessanti kien hin il-mistoqsijiet.

Min tkellem?

Number 1: HADD mis-sindki Nazzjonalisti (of course)

Tkellmu pero is-sindku tax-Xewjkija u s-sindku tax-Xaghra. U min minkom irid jitghallem xi tfisser NIMBYism messu gie dalghodu.

Interventi ohra saru minn ambjentalisti Maltin li gew fil-post ovvjament mhux permezz tat-trasport pubbliku (peress li dan f'Ghawdex ma jezistix).

U semmewlha (lill-Ministru) dwar il-pozizzjoni taghha dwar diversi 'zviluppi' li saru taht ghajnejha jew hemm proposti li jsiru.

U l-Ministru tassew clever tafux.

"Il-Ministeru mhux responsabbli mill-hrug ta' permessi f'Ghawdex"

U qalet li mhux etika li l-Ministeru jiehu xi pozizzjoni kontra jew favur xi progett...."Dak xoghol l-awtoritajiet kompetenti"

Tajjeb ukoll....
Nisthallilkom tghidu...'allura l-Alternattiva Demokratika tassew ma jafux x'inhi etika meta johorgu pozizzjonijiet cari kontra spekulazzjoni f'Ta' Cenc, il-qerda tas-sbuhija tar-Ramla l-Hamra u postijiet ohra bhal Hondoq ir-Rummien u d-Dwejra'

Ara... tassew Eku-Ghawdex u mhux EKO-Ghawdex. Hemm differenza.

Insomma qabel ma tlaqt mort fuq il-Ministru u s-segretarju taghha is-Sur Borg u fakkarthom li nistenna li tibaghtilna ghal laqgha mal-Ministeru bhala parti minn dan il-process konsultattiv.

Nemmen li bhala Alternattiva ghandna wisq x'noffru biex dan l-EKU jsir tassew EKO.

Meta l-AD hrigna bl-idea ta' Ghawdex bhala gzira ekologika (sentejn ilu) konna nafu x'qed nghidu.

Tlaqt nigri ghax ridt nara x'qed jigri mill-appell quddiem il-bord tal-MEPA dwar il-famuzi villel tar-Ramla l-Hamra li ironikament instemghu f'Ghawdex fl-istess jum u kwazi fl-istess hin.
Imma lahhaqt ma' kollox.

Naf li hawn minnkom jiehdu gost jidhqu u allura dalwaqt nikteb ir-rakkont minn go l-'awla' tal-bord tal-Apelli tal-MEPA. Ha nsemmiha 'Il-Qorti tal-Kangaruw'. Naf li mhux title originali sakemm ma nsibx xi haga aktar originali :)

Sahhiet

Victor

Tghid tmissni x-xorti?

Ghaxar spazji ta’ inkubazzjoni ghad-dispozizzjoni ta’ artigjana f’Ghawdex. Tghid min ser tmissu x-xorti eh?

Schemes for the big and the small fish?

The Malta Enterprise in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and the Gozo Business Chamber organised an information seminar in Gozo. This seminar primarily aimed to promote Gozo for industry especially that connected with the manufacturing and services sectors. It was also intentioned to increase awareness, amongst Gozitan industrialists and employers, on the various incentive schemes for industry administered by Malta Enterprise.

It is reported that the Minister for Gozo stressed the importance for Gozitan businessmen and entrepreneurs to become familiar with the many schemes launched by Government through Malta Enterprise in order to promote and facilitate industry.

The professional support and assistance given by Malta Enterprise is considered as an important added value to the various fiscal and non fiscal incentives one may benefit from these schemes. Minister Debono also remarked that some of these schemes would be co-funded through EU funds. Gozo will be benefiting through at least 10% of EU funds allocated to Malta for budgetary period 2008-2013.

I always wondered who those are really benefiting from such schemes. Is it a big or a small fish? I sometimes ask myself whether there is any exclusivity for that individual/s. Do I need a favour from somebody if I want to know more?

Gozo eco-island remains a GonziPN pipe dream

The Green MEP, Gisela Kallenbach confirmed that she will be visiting the island of Gozo on Thursday 5th June 2008. The aim is to have an opportunity to discuss Gozo as an eco-island as well as sharing good practices in EU countries in this regard.

Last Sunday the MaltaToday Journalist David Darmanin featured this title in the newspaper. When I read it, I was rather shocked. Click on the title then read along and discover why.

Gozo eco-island remains a GonziPN pipe dream

Gozo 1234 and 5 and 6 and 7

For those who might have missed it, here you can have a glimpse of what kind of PR went on during the festivities of the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th of may 2008 in the famous island of Gozo:

Gozo 1:The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, visits Archeology Museum at the Cittadella,Victoria, Gozo

Gozo 2:The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, at Cittadella, Victoria, Gozo.

Gozo 3:The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, and Mrs K. Gonzi attended a traditional folk dance and singing activity. Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Chris Said was also presentat Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo.

Gozo 4:The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, and Mrs Kate Gonzi visit an art exhibition accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Chris Said at The Exhibition Hall, Ministry for Gozo at Pjazza San Frangisk, Victoria, Gozo.

Gozo 5:

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, and Mrs Kate Gonzi visit the Crafts and Art Market. Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Chris Said accompanied the Prime Minister at Pjazza San Frangisk, Victoria, Gozo.

Gozo 6:

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, attends the traditional Dwejra fair at Dwejra Gozo.

Gozo 7:

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi, visits an Exhibition at Banca Giuratale, accompanied by the Minister for Gozo, the Hon Giovanna Debono, and Parliamentary Secretaries the Hon Chris Said, and the Hon Mario de Marco, at Independence Square, Victoria, Gozo.

Another one: Work in Victoria ‘technically defective’

Work in Victoria ‘technically defective’ – ADT

The Malta Transport Authority has informed the Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Ministry that work being carried out by the Victoria local council in Kennedy Square is not in conformity with the permits issued.

Unacceptable technical defects were also noted, the authority said.

The ADT, following ministerial instructions, has informed the council that the defective work must be rectified within 15 days.

Why is this another one. Click HERE.

And...
HOW MUCH WILL YOU PAY? Why this waste of tax-payer's money? Is there a particular voter who is benefiting?

The Gozitan Acting Prim Minister

Maltastar reported that:
"In a move that smacks of political abuse of power, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono who was Acting Prime Minister on Thursday, when Lawrence Gonzi was away, shockingly approved the expropriation of a strip of land in Nadur, Gozo, right in front of her own driver’s and relatives’ houses."
Need I comment further?
NO. Yet, I can proudly say again: "Not guilty" so should be the 300 Gozitan AD voters.

Dwejra Enforcement Cases

DWEJRA: What is happening in this part of the Earth?

Is this supposed to be a natural park or what?

No wonder that many voters are dumb silence!

Enforcements on boathouses without permit:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF01069/98	Site at id-Dwejra, Limits of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01017/00	Boathouse 29, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01018/00	Boathouse 30, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01062/00	Boathouse 31, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01063/00	Boathouse 32, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01064/00	Boathouse 35, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01065/00	Boathouse 34, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01066/00	Boathouse 36, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01069/00	Boathouse 100, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01070/00	Boathouse 102, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01071/00	Boathouse 103 B, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01072/00	Boathouse 104, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01073/00	Baothouse 54, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01074/00	Boathouse 55, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01075/00	Boathouse 56, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01076/00	Boathouse 57, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01077/00	Boathouse 58, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01083/00	Boathouse 39, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01084/00	Boathouse 40, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01085/00	Boathouse 41, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01086/00	Boathouse 42, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01087/00	Boathouse 43, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01088/00	Boathouse 44, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01089/00	Boathouse 46, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01090/00	Boathouse 47, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01091/00	Boathouse 45, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01093/00	Boathouse 48, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01094/00	Boathouse 93, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01095/00	Boathouse 94, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01096/00	Boathouse 95, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01097/00	Boathouse 96, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01098/00	Boathouses 6 & 7, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01099/00	Boathouse 8, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01100/00	Boathouse 11, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01101/00	Boathouse 13, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01102/00	Boathouse 59, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01103/00	Boathouse 60, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01104/00	Boathouse 61, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01105/00	Boathouse 62, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01106/00	Boathouse 63, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01111/00	Boathouse 92, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit
ECF01186/00	Boathouse 43, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse without permit

Enforcements on foundations/additions/extensions/alterations to existing boathouses without permit:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF00180/96	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to existing boathouse without permit
ECF00230/97	Site at Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Extension to boathouse without permit
ECF00709/93	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Foundations for boathouse without permit
ECF00925/00	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Alterations to boathouse and construction of boundary wall
ECF01079/00	Boathouse 71, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Alterations to boathouse without permit
ECF01081/00	Boathouse 72, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to boathouse without permit
ECF01109/00	Boathouse 74, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to an existing boathouse without permit
ECF01110/00	Dwejra Bar 75, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to boathouse without permit
ECF01133/00	Boathouse 91, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Extension to boathouse without permit
ECF01187/00	Boathouse 38, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Alterations to boathouse without permit
ECF01243/00	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Boathouse and yard without permit
ECF01131/00	Boathouse 103, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Garage/boathouse without permit
ECF01132/00	Boathouse 103 C, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Garage/boathouse without permit

Enforcements on extension of quarry/quarry without permit:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF00455/98	Site at Ta' Ghansar, San Lawrenz, Gozo	Extension of quarry without permit
ECF00459/98	Site at Fuq Tal-Bniet, Id-Dwejra, l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo.	Extension of quarry without permit
ECF00458/98	Site at Tal-Misrah, l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo.	Extension to quarry without permit
ECF00456/98	Site at Ta' Wied Merell, San Lawrenz, Gozo	Extension of quarry without permit
ECF01309/98	Site at, Ta' Ghansar, San Lawrenz	Quarry without permit
ECF00480/02	Site at, Tal-Ponta, San Lawrenz	Extension of quarry without permit
ECF00164/03	Site at, Ta' Slima, San Lawrenz	Extension of quarry without permit

Enforcements on dumping sites without permit:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF00687/99	Site at Wied Sufar, Qawra, San Lawrenz	Dumping without permit
ECF00521/00	Site at, Ta' Ghansar, San Lawrenz	Dumping site without permit
ECF00522/00	Site at, Ta' Tuta, l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo	Dumping site without permit
ECF00523/00	Site at, Wied Ta' Barrix, l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo	Dumping site without permit

Enforcements on commercial outlets:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF01188/96	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Change of use of land for commercial purposes
ECF01107/00	Dwejra Kiosk, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Tables outside kiosk without permit

Enforcements on alterations/additions to dwelling without permit:

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF01128/00	105, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Alterations to dwelling without permit
ECF01112/00	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Dwelling without permit
ECF01129/00	106, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to dwelling without permit
ECF01130/00	107, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Addittions to dwelling without permit
ECF00564/07	Site at, Triq Pawluzzu, San Lawrenz	Demolition, additions and alterations to existing dwelling without permit

and more enforcements ...

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF01108/00	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Dura without permit
ECF00808/01	Site at, Ix- Xurbeb, l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo	Store without permit
ECF01183/00	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Telephone kiosk without permit
ECF01195/01	98 Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Addition of rooms at the back of boathouse.
ECF00235/04	Site at, Pjazza Tad- Dwejra, Dwejra L/O, San Lawrenz	Demolition of room at roof level and reconstruction of same room and demolition of roofs
ECF00892/04	Site at, Pjazza Tad- Dwejra, Dwejra L/O, San Lawrenz	Extra unit /divided unit without permit
ECF00647/07	Site at, Il-Wilga, San Lawrenz, Gozo	Franka stone boundary wall without permit
ECF00130/08	Sit fi Pjazza tad-Dwejra, Dwejra l/o San Lawrenz, Gozo	Variations from approved drawings in plans of permit
ECF00984/05	Site at, Triq Tal-Qattura, L/o San Lawrenz, Gozo	Ramp without permit
ECF00061/01	Site at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Stone benches, flower-beds and flower pots on masonry bridge not according approved plans in PA 2247/97.

As well as the chapel.

Enforcement Number	Location of infringement	Breach
ECF01127/00	Church at, Id-Dwejra, Limits Of, San Lawrenz	Additions to chapel without permit

What happened to all these enforcements?

I think that politicians need to decide whether their interest is in simply gaining votes or else the future sustainable jobs for Gozitans and quality tourism. Please stop taking citizens of goodwill for a ride.

LINKS to other info re. Dwejra:

http://victorgalea.blogspot.com/2008/04/dwejra-interview-on-fxm-radio.html

http://victorgalea.blogspot.com/2008/03/dwejra-concretes.html

http://victorgalea.blogspot.com/2008/03/dwejra-developments.html

http://victorgalea.blogspot.com/2008/02/xqed-jigri-fid-dwejra.html

and an interesting investigative feature on Dwejra saga:

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2008/03/30/n5.html


"Concrete structures in a national park contrast completely with the Prime Minister’s promise that Gozo would become an ecological island. In this way we are simply killing the goose which lays the golden eggs”


Victor Galea