Eco-Gozo in tatters

Eco-Gozo is in tatters because, as I understand it, if Gozo is being threatened with hasty and unsightly development then, logically, it will lose its attraction to residents and tourists.

I will give some examples. The local councils are not speaking out when strange things happen. Some residents from Qala told me about the cutting down of carob trees near Ta’ Cassia with the excuse of restoring rubble walls! Qala Local Council stayed mute.

The country road/lane near the Ta’ Bordin WSC borehole on the outskirts of Ghajnsielem is always full of water containing cement, giving the impression that someone is cleaning a readymix bowser every day and dumping the mess in the lane as if it was his private property.

And Ghajnsielem Local Council is not taking action, even although the people who used to take their evening walk on the road have now chosen to stay away.

Some reliable sources in Qala told me that the developer, Joseph Portelli, met Minister Konrad Mizzi in a restaurant in Qala and it is rumoured that they were even seen at Ta’ Cassia, conversing on important issues like comrades. It may be that people are envious of the copious contributions of Joseph Portelli to the society and Church in Gozo and of the remarkable success of our most industrious Minister.

And nothing is being done about the illegal dumping of smelly animal sludge in the fields along with the dumping of clay over garigue and other areas of land. I think that there is also a social sin here, in addition to personal responsibility. People are afraid to speak because they fear a backlash from the establishment. Some would say that this backlash is only perceived, but I think people know about it from experience.

It is as if there is a Mafia reigning supreme and pulling the strings. Others only defend their particular patch, or are making good money and getting away with it too. They are part of the system.

But it is up to the citizen to stand up and say ‘stop’ to this road to nowhere. We should insist that they stop using and abusing us. The future of our archipelago should not be sacrificed for the short-term gain of the few. We should never be blinded by gifts, and principles should not be set aside to appease the greediness of others. Why should I go to the trouble to write this letter when there are competent authorities who are being paid to carry out this surveillance? Joe Portelli Nadur