Ta' Ċenċ saga goes on

I could say that my first political activity was the organisation of the Ta' Cenc educational walk back in August 2005. A walk which turned into a protest as soon as we arrived at Ta' Cenc and found out that the owner illegally closed the access to this plateau. Moreover, the Gozo police were protecting him!

Yes only in Gozo you might say.

Back then both the PN and MLP were both promoting a golf course at Ta' Cenc.

It was strange since at that time the Times of Malta was reporting that the government of our republic included Ta' Cenc in the Natura 2000 programme. Hence Ta' Cenc was supposed to be protected for future generations.

Knowing who is behind The Times of Malta, the AD Gozo Regional Committee did not trust these reports from the Times, and decided to write directly to the EU Commission asking whether it is true that the Maltese government really incuded Ta' Cenc in its list of protected areas. (Read HERE)


Few days later, the Commission replied saying that the Government of Malta DID NOT include Ta' Cenc as part of the Natura 2000 network. (Read HERE) Surprise eh?


It was then that we decided to nationalize the issue of Ta' Cenc. The organisation of the 'walk' was part of the strategy.

However after the Ta' Cenc lockout, we revealed the real intentions of the developers at Ta' Cenc. (read HERE). No golf courses but massive buildings of villas and other land speculations.

Watch video here:



Several NGO's joined the chorus in objecting the destruction of Ta' Cenc. Others joined recently.

Today eight environmental NGOs today called upon MEPA to publish online the fresh plans submitted for the application to extend the existing hotel at Ta’ Cenc in Gozo. In a statement BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, the Gaia Foundation, Light Pollution Awareness Group, Nature Trust and the Ramblers Association called on MEPA to honour the commitment made to NGOs on the 15th of July 2008 to give “NGOs and Local Councils free, unlimited access to digital plans for all planning applications through its e-applications systems.” (Read HERE).

Following this, we just issued a press statement referring to the secrecy of Ta' Cenc as an example of disrespect for the citizens.

Alternattiva Demokratika, The Green Party are four square with the NGOs and insist with MEPA and government that plans regarding Ta' Cenc should immediately be put on line.

"The disrespect for the citizen on the part of MEPA is becoming unacceptable."

We reminded how back in 2005, the AD Gozo Regional Committee was informed by the EU Commissioner for the Environment ithat the Maltese Government and MEPA had failed to include Ta' Cenc in the list of sites to be protected under the Natura 2000 network scheme.

I said that three years later, we still have concerned citizens and NGOs struggling for transparency in the process of the proposed developments at Ta' Cenc. It is a pity that the government and the Gozo Ministry still seem to be unaware of the ecological, ornithological and geomorphologic uniqueness of Ta' Cenc.

It is disappointing that notwithstanding the echoing of the Eco-Gozo project, the Ministry for Gozo still finds it hard to express a simple opinion on this issue.

It is absolutely unacceptable that the Ta' Cenc site, home to various birds, endemic species and historical remains, has not been included in the list of protected sites. Ta' Cenc is a place of unique importance, not only because of its special bio-diversity but also because the natural beauty of the place - with its unique diversity. It is a source of attraction for Maltese and tourists and thus a source of much needed income for the local economy.

Alternattiva Demokratika's chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola, concluded the statement by saying that "The behaviour of the Maltese government on the long dragging Ta' Cenc issue is, to say the least, irresponsible. The message sent out by the government is that it does not really care about safeguarding Gozo's unique heritage, despite all the hype about Gozo as an eco-island. Ta' Cenc deserves to be scheduled immediately and fully as a Natura 2000 site".

The left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing

Imagine what you would do if ...

In the peak of summer you receive such an email, exactly on the 7^th of August.

I would like to inform you that my Permanent Secretary is in receipt of the attached correspondence from the Office of the Prime Minister.

In this connection your attention is drawn to the fact that on the basis of paragraph 7.2.2.4(a) of the PSMC you may not hold the post of Secretary General with the Alternattiva Demokratika. Notwithstanding this, paragraph 4.7.2.1 of the PSMC allows public officers below Scale 5 to avail themselves of unpaid leave in order to occupy a statutory post in the central executive of a political party.

You are thus kindly requested to inform either my Permanent Secretary or the undersigned of your decision on the matter. For your information the e-mail address of my Permanent Secretary is as follows: joseph.b.micallef@gov.mt.

Your early attention to the matter would be highly appreciated.

A few minutes later you receive this:

Dear Mr Galea,

Further to my e-mail which I have sent you this morning and my subsequent teleconversation pl note that the Office of the Prime Minister is awaiting a reply from you today.

Referred for further necessary action from your end, pl.

And so on the same day I replied as such:

Following your e-mail communication this morning, kindly note that I am forwarding this communication to the Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika Prof. Arnold Cassola.

I am sure that you understand that although communications between the OPM and your permanent secretary were dated the 17th July 2008; I am only being informed now through your communications yesterday and this morning.

I am sure that you understand that for me to take a decision on this very same day is unrealistic.

May I also ask for a clarification: Could you kindly scan for me what paragraph 7.2.2.4(a) of the PSMC says exactly? Otherwise you may indicate from where I can access this information.

Moreover I understand that paragraph 4.7.2.1 of the PSMC is irrelevant. I was forced to renounce my interest in applying for the post of College Principal for the sake of my love for country - thus being the secretary of a political party which represents 23,000 voters at national level, i.e. 9.4% of the whole population.

Your offices may wish to be informed that for the service I am rendering to my country and to the 23,000 voters I represent, I am NOT BEING PAID A SINGLE EURO CENT by my party.

I therefore applied for the post of an Education Officer which is not "a public officer below scale 5".

As Ms Caruana Colombo stated in her request to your Perm Sec., I am currently a Teacher: "Mr. Victor Galea is substantively a Teacher on Salary Scale 9"

Thanks for your understanding and I appreciate further clarifications.

Regards,

Victor Galea

c.c Prof. Arnold Cassola - Chairperson AD

Immediately I received this:

Dear Mr Galea,

Thanks for your mail.

I have referred its contents to Ms Caruana Colombo at OPM.

Paragraph 7.2.2.4(a) of the PSMC is produced verbatim hereunder:

“ 7.2.2.4 Restrictions for officers inn Scales 1 to 13. Officers in Scales 1 to 13 are debarred from:

(a) holding office in party political organisations impinging on the political field. “

The above is referred for your information.

Barely 4 days later, I again receive this deadline:

Mr Galea,

Pl refer to the subjoined mail and your interim reply thereto.

It would be appreciated if you would give this Ministry a definite reply on the matter by return e-mail by not later than Friday 15 August 2008.

Thanks and regards.

But I did not wait for Santa Marija and replied as such, on the 13^th of August, and sent a copy to the leaders of the Parties. Thus the Prime Minister was informed directly by myself first and not through the media as was reported by The Times of the Republic of Malta. I also informed Muscat (MLP) and the he also choose to remain completely silent even though I ensured that my correspondence reached him through his secretary Ms. Henriette.

Dear Sir,

I refer to your e-mail of the 7th August wherein you drew my attention to provisions of 7.2.2.4(a) of the PSMC.

The said provisions states that "Officers in Scales 1 to 13 are debarred from:

(a) holding office in party political organisations impinging on the political field"

Subsequent to your letter and after carrying out the necessary checks it does result to the undersigned that I have been singled out for the implementation of these provisions of the Public Service Code when various other public officers have been permitted to hold office within the party structures of the Malta Labour Political Party and the Nationalist Political Party.

I consider that this is discriminatory in my regards and request that in view of your having permitted for years on end public officers to be active in the MLP and the PN you act in a similar manner in my respect.

I trust that you are fully aware of the political and legal repercussions of your discriminatory treatment and unprecedented actions in my regards.

I have always carried out my duties within the civil service in a professional, unbiased and apolitical manner and I consider that my political contribution is a free service to the democratic development of our nation.

Victor Galea

c.c. Prof. Arnold Cassola, Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party

Hon Lawrence Gonzi, Prim Minister and Leader of the Nationalist Party

Dr. Joseph Muscat, Leader of the Malta Labour Party

*************************************************************************************

Today, from the online version of The Times, I am told that the left hand does not know what the right is doing. Read HERE

So, I need to thank my wife for having lived through these dark times with me while listening to the petards and marches of Santa Marija and while we rejoice with our baby, and our hearts aching in silence. I also thank the people who celebrated with us the christening of our son and with the look on their face showing us that they understand what we were going through.

A big thanks goes to the journalists of Malta Today who publicised the story of political discrimination so the Maltese and Gozitan people realise what is really happening in this country which was supposed to have become a full member of the EU some four years ago. (See HERE).

I am grateful to Lino Spiteri, writer and ex-politician, for the excellent article he wrote in the Times of Malta. (See HERE)

I also thank all those that were brave enough to comment on the online version of The Times, revealing their names and expressing their opinion.

I thank also many other people who sent me personal messages of support, including those I have never met or communicated with before.

And the members and friends of Alternattiva Demokratika that together we fought to demonstrate what we should be living through in the 21^st century.

I just hope that from this trauma affecting my family and I, some benefit will ensue.

I just hope you will pluck enough courage and realise that when it is YOUR RIGHT you should not be scared to fight for it.

I promise I will continue to do my work in the most dignified and professional manner.

I promise I will keep on struggling so there will truly be an alternative for the ‘democracy’ that we are witnessing today.

Thanks for the support and COURAGE.

Victor, Miriam and Savio

Rice on your doorstep - It's EU Aid

A friend of ours Mr Paul Barnes also from Gharb wrote an interesting letter on The Times called: "Gozo Bishop's festa appeal ignored".

As far as a know Mr Barnes is the first Maltese/Gozitan resident who commented in the local media about the FACT that people here qualify for EU food aid.

He rightly so commented that we have all received our donation of rice, pasta and biscuits marked "EU Aid, Not For Resale"

During the past months, I also found 3-5 1kg packets of rice on my door step.
At first I thought that somebody wanted to play a joke. Reading the pack then I read the following on each pack:
"EC Aid"
"Product not for sale"
"Reg (EC) 3149/92"
"Rice"

Then after some months I found again some more packets of this EU Aid product on my door step!

Look at the photos I took of one of these packets, and start believing.


People like Joe Tabone-Adami, is trying to ridicule Mr Barnes. Joe Tabone-Adami who says that he follows 'closely' Malta's relations with the EU" commented thus:

"Joe Tabone-Adami (8 hours, 4 minutes ago)

I am in the habit of following closely Malta's relations with the other EU members. I am afraid I have been missing all these years those dealing with Malta's qualification for food aid "along with Zimbabwe and Darfur". It is news to me that any of our countrymen (or guests, for that matter) have been receiving donations of rice, pasta and biscuits marked 'EU aid not for resale' in the past few days - or at any time since our renewed EU membership application back in 1998. It would appear that Mr Barnes is mistaken about this, too. Incidentally, where was Mr Barnes during World War II?"

Unfortunately Joe Tabone-Adami does not follow things closely enough!

I can confirm that yes, here in Gharb Gozo, people find EU aid food on their doorstep!

And therefore, unlike Joe Tabone-Adami, I agree with our Gozo resident and friend Mr Barnes that:

"Malta, along with Zimbabwe and Darfur, currently qualify for EU food aid (we have all received our donation of rice, pasta and biscuits marked "EU Aid, Not For Resale" in the past few days). Can we really afford to send so much money up in smoke?" - referring aerial bombardment of BOMBI during all the summer season.

'Democracy of the Middle Ages'

Surprise! Surprise!

Those of you who got the patience of following our local medieval political system are aware that the 2 parties in parliament agreed to exclude The Malta Green Party from talks on the reform of the electoral system.

The Times of Malta gave a brief report on this and I am astonished by the amount of comments on the Times-on-line by people who believes that bi-partisan politics should end once and for all, especially now that none of the major political parties enjoy an absolute majority. Read Comments HERE.

The talks are being held by the government and the opposition in a parliamentary select committee chaired by the Speaker.

Stephen Cachia, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesman on democratic institutions and Civil Rights in his letter pointed out that in the 1992-1996 period AD had participated on a par with the other parties both in the Gonzi Commission for changes in the electoral system and in the Galdes Commission on financing of political parties.

"It would be an enormous step backward vis-a'-vis democracy if, today, over 12 years later, the two parties in Parliament would be deciding exclusively between themselves on an issue which directly involves other political parties". Stephen Cachia said.

"It is even more important than ever for Alternattiva Demokratika to participate fully in the discussions because the government of the day only commands a relative majority and represents less than half of the electorate"

"Because of the present electoral system Alternattiva Demokratika, which represents two and half times the difference between the two parties in parliament (3810 voters), does not have a seat in parliament. It is therefore even more imperative that the committee discussing electoral systems and party financing should include AD in order to ensure the widest possible representation of the Maltese electorate", Mr Cachia said.

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

MEPA gives green light for cruise liner berths at Xlendi Bay

Nothing against having a cruise liner visiting Gozo every so often. But I am still astonished by the fact that no feasibility and sustainability study was carried out. Moreover an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) seems to be out of the vocabulary of the Gozo feudal system or to be politically correct : the Ministry for the quasi-republic of Gozo.


Many of us are still astound to open the local papers and read that MEPA approved of this 'secretive' project at Xlendi Bay.

MEPA = Malta Environment Planning Authority under the auspices of The Prim Minister of our Republic.



Since no Environmental Impact Assessment took place and moreover no consultation ever took place either, many are raising justified questions:

1) So how does a buoy off Xlendi translate into full time jobs?

2) How many full time jobs is this going to create?

3) After all that money spent on Imgarr Harbour why can't the cruise lines make use of those facilities?

4) When was a study regarding the sustainability of cruise tourism on Gozo carried out?

5) What is the cost of these berths and has a swot analysis been done on this project?

6) Who actually benefits economically? Is it the country visited or is it only the owners of the cruisers and the tour operators?

7) If no traffic assessment was done, are they now simply going to add a few car parks,in Xlendi be of more use?

8) How does this futs into the eco-gozo concept?

9) How is marine life going to be effected?

10)Why was an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) dismissed once again?

As a common citizen, this morning I wrote to the EU asking for clarifications on whether the fact that the government decided to omit an EIA is in breach with the EU Directives. Will have to wait for an answer.

I did not dare ask these questions to the Gozo Ministry for obvious reasons.

'The Cittadella left in ruins' no more?

Some time ago, Joseph visited the Cittadella in Gozo and was shocked to see the dilapidated state this place finds itself in. He wrote a good contribution in the Gozo News. Com
He wrote about 'The Cittadella left in ruins' and you can read about it by clicking HERE.

Since many years we read in the local media about promises on extensive restoration projects for poor Cittadella.

In 2006 we read about this HERE (19th May 2006)

Nothing in 2007 (Perhaps too busy campaigning for the general election?)

Then again in 2008 HERE(20th June 2008) and HERE(25th July 2008) and HERE (30th June 2008).

Who does not agree that the Citadel fortifications are entitled to benefit from the restoration project financed by the EU?

We can all join hands together and speak about the importance of the Citadel and its role regarding the defence of Gozo as the sole fortification on the island.

Thanks to the EU and the European tax-payers, we will now have to meet deadlines.

So please get to action.

We all agree with the nice words.

Careers in Agriculture

Like you probably, I learned about this meeting from the media. Like you, I was not informed or even invited since this event was organised by the Ministry for Gozo....and by now we should all know how this Ministry works....

"Yes...alone everything is possible".

Anyhow, a meeting was organised by the ministry for Gozo through the coordination of the Institute of Agriculture within the University of Malta.

Apparently the director of the Institute spoke about the opportunities available to those who would like to further their studies in this sector.

How and what, the reporting of this meeting did not say.

What I can say is that I wrote many a times to this Institute of Agriculture to help tapping young Gozitans to work in the sector of agri-tourism. The Ager Foundation is constantly seeking a number of Gozitans working in this sector to provide agro-expertiences to tourists and visitors to our island., since the demand in the past three years is greater than the supply.

So if you are truely interested in working in this sector and learn more about job opportunities in agri-tourism, visit our website www.agerfoundation.com and contact me for a meeting.

I am glad that I managed to keep the Ager Foundation away from the local medieval politics.