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.

Tourists…rubbish…throw them out…burn them…send them away

Aleander Balzan is another journalist who I feel is very promising in investigative journalism. Besides, his style of writing shows that he has, what in the books it is referred to as the ‘Maltese heritage’, close to his heart.

Aleander is a journalist with il-Kulhadd, and last Sunday he wrote an interesting episode which he named: “An archaeological treasure is transformed into a rubbish dump”. I suggest that you read this report of Aleander by accessing this link and understanding why I am mentioning this entry in the blog entitled ‘Tourists…rubbish etc., etc.’

I need to thank the AD local councillor for Sannat John Mizzi who took photographs in the area of Ta’ Lambert in Xewkija, more specifically, on the other side of Ta’ Cenc – right in the location of the heliport and where a couple of individuals closely connected to politics are saying that tourism in Gozo needs an airstrip in order to survive… see blog of gozoairstrip here.

This time John Mizzi has not been arrested for taking pictures in this despicable location. Do you remember when the police who reign Gozo deleted all John’s photographs which he snapped in Wied l-Infern while the people at MEPA came to clean the disaster made by the Zebbug mayor? If you forgot, you can read here.

But you would surely agree that while looking at these pictures you feel infuriated!

This is more so when the Superintendent in charge of the cultural heritage has just published his annual report and appealed to MEPA so that all the areas in Ta’ Cenc are protected (scheduled).

Furthermore, in his report, the Superintendent urged that in the other side of Mgarr ix-Xini, that is, the side of the heliport known as Ta’ Lambert, there remain archaeological sites that are not yet so discovered and hence also need to be protected.

This is exactly what you can see in the picture, my friend!

But if you study these pictures closely you will start to confirm that this report, like numerous other appeals from various sources, the Gozo Authorities seem to be protecting those who go and destroy these locations in pure daylight.

And this is despite the fact that the government of a relative majority (not absolute) says (before election) that he is going to adopt Alternattiva Demokratika’s vision to transform Gozo into an ecological island.

And so as I commented in the report of the young journalist Aleander, I think that I am right in saying that “either the Prime Minister was not aware of what he was trying to copy or else the environmental pole has deteriorated.”

When you see these pictures you really feel like crying. You need to be uneducated, as they say, or couldn’t care less, not feel ashamed.

When will the Minister for Gozo start to understand that the protection of the environment and historical sites are of an enormous value and help in the development of another niche for tourism from which Gozo can greatly benefit?

Is it possible that she is not yet aware that Gozo is also frequented by tourists who come specifically for the island’s natural beauty?

In fact, I know friends from Malta who tell me that they like to visit Gozo specifically because they appreciate its peace and natural beauty!

I met tourists who visit Gozo for its historical riches.

I also know people who came to Gozo (and left money) specifically because they like to walk in our countryside and enjoy the flora and fauna that make the island as beautiful as God intended.

But look at this picture of the crucifix in the rubbish dump of Ta’ Lambert!

Those who followed us before election may remember that we issued an electoral manifesto specifically for Gozo and among a lot of proposals, we proposed the development of different niches of tourism. (See here). We mentioned, amongst other proposals, the need for Religious Tourism to be developed. Apparently they got us wrong even here because this poor crucifix ended up being placed here in this rubbish dump of Ta’ Lambert, close to the government bore hole. Could this also be part of the Gozo echo?

As my friend John Mizzi said, who took these photographs, “it is a shame. This place need to be cared for and cleaned under the supervision of experts so that no more historical structures are lost.”

And if I form part of the Xewkija local council, I would definitely react to this!


Is it possible that from five local councillors (nationalists and labourites) nobody even stirs? How come the major did not mention this disaster when she attended the famous ‘consultation’ regarding the echo in Gozo in Lunzjata Valley. I was there and listened to every word that was uttered.

Do you want me to believe what they say, that is “Don’t we know who?” … oh come on!

Or is this a question of instilling fear by means of votes in those who should take care of and protect their locality?

If this is so, I have many ideas of what I can do!

So no wonder that those people who couldn’t care less, do not really care neither for the tourists. Rubbish…throw them out… burn them. In other words, send them away.

So excuse me but I cannot not criticise what they call Gozo Association of Tourism (GTA). Those of the GTA that straight after every budget they come on Net tv praising its merits.

I believe that there are a couple of genuine individuals in GTA, but like every association in Gozo that is controlled by a medieval system or perhaps even more recent … a system of feudal politics; these few need to keep their mouths shut.

Don't worry, I will not.

Cheers
Victor

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.

Remember this? "Don't Destroy Gozo"

This week, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage called on MEPA to schedule the entire Ta’ Cenc area. In its annual report, the Superintendence also revealed that during its inspections of the area extending from the entire Ta’ Cenc plateau towards the valley and the bay of Mgarr ix-Xini, several previously unknown archaeological features were discovered.


Look at the beauty of these site in the photo above (Ta' Cenc on the right of the Mgarr ix-Xini valley and Ta' lambert/Tal-Kus on the left hand side).

We are now asking the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage to inspect the area around the heliport in Xewkija overlooking Mgarr ix-Xini Valley known at Ta’ Lambert, where illegal dumping takes place and a number of cart ruts and other pre-historic features had already been destroyed in broad daylight.

In a press statement published yesterday I said that it is of utmost importance that the archeological sites around the heliport are protected before somebody dreams of developing the area. The superintendence report itself states that a few meters away from Ta’ Lambert at Xewkija, there are archaeological remains and the surrounding landscape has to be protected. It is a shame that this area was left in such an abandoned state of affairs during the recent years. At present heavy machinery is extending a quarry very close to the area. We believe that the Superintendence is aware of the Roman-era Olive Press found near the heliport which unfortunately is in a total state of neglect. (see photo of the Roman-era Olive Press)

Hence I conclude by saying that if the government of Malta promised to protect the ecology of Gozo few weeks before last general election, we now demand action and not mere words. Eco and heritage tourism are a niche market which we are not exploiting enough. The archaeological sites at Ta’ Lambert are of great importance for future jobs because that is what makes us unique in attracting tourism since such prehistoric sites are only unique to our nation.

Any thinking?

Meantime I advice you to read a very interesting feature 'Illegal dumping - Gozo’s silent killer' by Malta Independent Journalist Francesca Vella by clicking HERE

Cheers

Victor

Messagg qabel tivvota - ara u isma l-vidjow

A democratically elected Gozo Regional Council

A section of the AD Gozo Manifesto talks specifically about Gozo public administration towards a full democratic and transparent participation in decision-making. (Read more here)

Our interest in the island-region of Gozo comes before that of party politics.

Nowhere more than in Gozo has it become so clear that the ‘special favours’ political culture directly undermines the confidence ordinary citizens, business operators and their employees need in order to develop a strong and healthy local economy. This was my main contribution during a public debate I was invited to yesterday at the Circolo Gozitano.

Gozitans want and deserve better. We know that transformation can happen for the better.

Today, even those who have materially gained from the feudal favours system, crippling Gozo, realize that they are sliding downhill with everybody else. Gozo is ripe for a reform, which will propel it from an abandoned periphery of Malta to its most successful region. Although not yet represented in parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika, is already significantly influencing government policies for Gozo.

The greatest reform would be for Gozitans to be represented in Parliament by AD, a party characterized by long term, consistent commitment to the benefit of Gozo and the welfare of Gozitans.

Alternattiva Demokratika is committed to supporting Gozitans in safeguarding their island home from private greed. This also shows that AD has Gozo at heart and cares for it and all Gozitans.

Moreover, The Greens will endlessly work to increase Gozitan participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the electorate.

Once elected to parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika will embark upon a number of initiatives among which several administrative and organizational affairs will be addressed:

1. AD proposes the set-up of an inclusive Parliamentary Committee for Gozo Affairs made up of all Gozo’s MPs. The Standing Committee will ensure transparent and serious governance by the Ministry for Gozo;

2. Eliminate once and for all the prevalent stagnant clientelist nepotism and in its stead institute an administrative framework to inform and to guarantee the inalienable rights of all citizens and economic operators;

3. Set up an administrative structure to which Gozo residents can address their complaints and through which they can be informed on matters related to construction industry sites affecting directly their everyday life;

4. See that meritocracy replaces the prevailing practice of exclusive selection of ‘‘jobs-for-the party-boys-and-girls’;

5. Demand the enactment of the Whistleblower Act to ensure that those who have the courage of speaking up are not victimised;

6. Demand the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act – to ensure that all citizens are informed of the manner in which government through its politicians and civil servants is acting on its behalf;

7. Endeavour to set up new forms of political organisations aiming to expand the evolution of participatory democracy for Gozitans through direct citizens involvement in the decision-making process. A democratically elected Regional Council is completely in line with Green Politics;

8. Institute a legislative function, drawn from the Local Council Act, modified to eliminate reference to byelaws of government departments. This enables the Gozo Parliamentary Committee to raise issues regarding conflict of remit;

9. Based on effective democracy for Gozo and Gozitans, the executive of this Gozo Regional Council will appoint a 'head of ministry', to effectively administer the annual budget allocated to the Gozo Region.;

10. Formulate the legal framework for a Regional Status for Gozo. The concept of this Regional Statusis intended to gain more autonomy for Gozo as well as to acquire the legislative and executive potential based on effective democracy;

11. Encourage the close collaboration between the Gozo MPs of different leanings to optimise existing local human talent as oppose to wasting such resources simply because of varied political creeds;

12. Insert effective review mechanisms to ensure constant transparency. Gozo has inherent promising opportunities but also threats emanating from the omerta’ symptom and the structural weakness of social aggression. These challenges shall be explicitly addressed by AD for a better life and work environment in Gozo;

13. A Regional Institution to include a Public Registry, a Regional Police HeadQuarters with lock up cells, a fire brigade and Rescue Centre, Regional Attorney General office, Regional office for Local Government and any other departments which fall under the aegis of the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs;

14. Ensure a full manpower of police officers for Gozo;

15. Ensure all police stations are manned;

16. Guarantee the right of a fair, impartial and effective police protection for Gozitans in the course of their daily activities;

17. Certify that all ranks in the police force are entitled to modern training techniques, to be supported and equipped with the latest technological apparatus to provide a service of excellence;

18. Strive to obtain a fair, proportionate representation for Gozo voters in that the quota of Gozo’s MPs reflect the number of Gozo’s registered voters This means that Gozo should be allocated a sixth elected MP to its current five representatibes.

Difiza ta' l-ambjent ghal Xoghol ta' kwalita'

Il-Billboard tieghi f'Ghawdex qieghdha ezattament hdejn it-traffic lights tax-Xewkija - taht il-Mithna.

Sa' ftit jiem ilu l-messagg kien ' juzawk u jarmuk - ahna nistmawk dejjem'.

Ftit jiem ilu inbidel f'dan:

B'wicci minn quddiem nista' nghid li Alternattiva Demokrtika biss ghandha policies cari dwar il-futur ambjentali f'Ghawdex.

Kemm ilna nezistu bhala Kumitat Regjonali ta' l-AD Ghawdex, iltqajna ma mijiet ta' Ghawdxin fuq bazi individwali u qasmu mieghi esperjenzi ta' ngustizzji minn naha ta' Awtorita' li suppost tiehu hsieb l-ippjanar. Mijiet ta' Ghawdxin li sa ftit ilu kienu jxejjru imkatar homor jew blu' avvicinawna ghax jafu li ahna ma ninxtrawx. Jafu li l-fondi tal-partit taghna m'humiex gejjin minn ghand xi hadd b'sahhtu. Jafu li ahna genwinament jinteressawna nies li m'ghandhomx vuci, jew li l-vuci taghhom ma tinstemax jekk m'ghandhomx ir-rih fil-qala'.

Ghalfejn difiza ta' l-ambjent?
Ghax l-Ghawdxin jixirqilhom xoghol f'Ghawdex u xoghol ta' kwalita'

Ha nispjega ftit:

Kulhadd jaf li Ghawdex jigbed eluf ta' turisti u Maltin propju ghax Ghawdex sabih. X'fiha hazin allura li nzommu lil Ghawdex sabih?

Inzommu lil Ghawdex sabih mhux billi nehduha kontra kull tip ta' zvilupp jew kull tip ta' kostruzzjoni. Irridu li jsir zvilupp f'Ghawdex - imma rridu li jsir zvilupp bil-ghaqal. Ma rridux li Ghawdex jibqa' presepju imma lanqas irridu li Ghawdex isir Manhattan fil-Mediterran.

Minflok inkomplu innaqqru mill-kampanja taghna, hemm bzonn li nikkonvertu bini li huwa abbandunat u mitluq u jigu mibdula f'residenzi sbieh li jaqblu mall-karattru Ghawdxi.

Qatt rajt turisti jiehdu ritratti ta' faccata ta' xi dar sabiha tipikament Ghawdxija?

Qatt rajt turisti jiehdu ritratt ta' xi blokka gebubi ta' flettijiet vojta li ma joqghod fihom hadd hlief li jinkrew ftit jiem fis-sena lil xi erba' Maltin f'Santa Marija?

Mhux dan it-tip ta' xoghol irridu noffru lill-Ghawdxin, xoghol ta' seftur/a tahsel xi par lozor wara li alla jaf kif wiehed kera xi week-end lil xi familja Maltin.

L-ideat taghna ghal xoghol ta' kwalita' jinstabu fil-proposti taghna ghal Ghawdex. Nitolbok taghfas hawnhekk biex issir taf aktar.

Ilna s-snin nitkellmu dwar li Ghawdex ghandu jkun gzira ekologija b'holqien ta' mpjiegi godda u morderni. X'gara s'issa?

U nirrepeti dak li qed jistaqsuni n-nies:

X'ser jigri mir-Ramlaq, Ta' Cenc u Hondoq wara l-elezzjoni?

u jien nghidilhom: "Jiddependi mill-vot tieghek siheb"