It is unfortunate that what should have been a fully-fledged discussion on the proposal of a bridge between our islands ended up being prematurely interrupted by the political intrigue surrounding the Mallia driver's case. Such a discussion is not only logical considering the gargantuan proportions of the project, but also essential for the development of a national consciousness on what a regionalised Malta would look like.
In his reply to the Leader of the Opposition's speech, the Prime Minister mentioned that he was unhappy with the current regional set-up. This followed a series of reports of mismanagement and financial turmoil surrounding the regional committees, which however constituted just the tip of the iceberg. What I see as being the foremost issue with the system is the fact that the regional set-up has been imposed without there having been a basis of a mentality which truly understands and appreciates the true meaning of regionalism. This is unfortunately just short of a cosmetic measure, and regional committees are running the risk of appearing as a bureaucratic baggage rather than a source of opportunities.
It would be worrying indeed should our concept of a region be determined exclusively by the presence of institutional set-ups. It is high time that as a nation we explore what regionalism truly means, plausibly as part of the discussions surrounding the foundation of a second republic. The option is clear: we either reach a consensus on what defines a Maltese region and determine how it reflects the principle of subsidiarity, or we would be left with no option but to eliminate the system should it be seen as redundant. Personally, the latter option is one with which I strongly disagree with, however what is sure is that the mere grouping of localities does not suffice to truly create a region.
Turning back to Gozo, the issue runs far deeper, as there is a real risk that the notion of regionalism becomes dependent on the concept of accessibility and infrastructure, such as the permanent link. It would be taunting to envision such a project as a solution to all the challenges Gozo faces. Unfortunately, the coverage appears to present this image, which is unrealistic to the extent of being deceiving. Indeed, the basis for a discussion in this regard should be a holistic vision for social and economic regrowth, of which the issue of accessibility is just a piece, albeit a central one. Analysed on its own, the issue of connectivity and all its plausible solutions can never be fully comprehended especially when it comes to determining their effect. It would be dangerous to approach this discussion with a narrow vision, and even more dangerous to connote the notion of Gozo's regional identity entirely with one side of what is a multi-faceted scenario.
Therefore I sincerely hope that a comprehensive discussion ensues on the regional character of our nation with the aim of reaching common grounds and bridging the gap which currently exists between a mentality which does not fully comprehend such a notion and the vision for institutions which truly reflect the growing need for decision-making closer to the citizens. Such a process can undoubtedly help us not only develop a more holistic vision of our nation's priorities, but also spur a rediscovery our identity as one nation. Indeed, regionalism - if successful, can make us more united.
In his reply to the Leader of the Opposition's speech, the Prime Minister mentioned that he was unhappy with the current regional set-up. This followed a series of reports of mismanagement and financial turmoil surrounding the regional committees, which however constituted just the tip of the iceberg. What I see as being the foremost issue with the system is the fact that the regional set-up has been imposed without there having been a basis of a mentality which truly understands and appreciates the true meaning of regionalism. This is unfortunately just short of a cosmetic measure, and regional committees are running the risk of appearing as a bureaucratic baggage rather than a source of opportunities.
It would be worrying indeed should our concept of a region be determined exclusively by the presence of institutional set-ups. It is high time that as a nation we explore what regionalism truly means, plausibly as part of the discussions surrounding the foundation of a second republic. The option is clear: we either reach a consensus on what defines a Maltese region and determine how it reflects the principle of subsidiarity, or we would be left with no option but to eliminate the system should it be seen as redundant. Personally, the latter option is one with which I strongly disagree with, however what is sure is that the mere grouping of localities does not suffice to truly create a region.
Turning back to Gozo, the issue runs far deeper, as there is a real risk that the notion of regionalism becomes dependent on the concept of accessibility and infrastructure, such as the permanent link. It would be taunting to envision such a project as a solution to all the challenges Gozo faces. Unfortunately, the coverage appears to present this image, which is unrealistic to the extent of being deceiving. Indeed, the basis for a discussion in this regard should be a holistic vision for social and economic regrowth, of which the issue of accessibility is just a piece, albeit a central one. Analysed on its own, the issue of connectivity and all its plausible solutions can never be fully comprehended especially when it comes to determining their effect. It would be dangerous to approach this discussion with a narrow vision, and even more dangerous to connote the notion of Gozo's regional identity entirely with one side of what is a multi-faceted scenario.
Therefore I sincerely hope that a comprehensive discussion ensues on the regional character of our nation with the aim of reaching common grounds and bridging the gap which currently exists between a mentality which does not fully comprehend such a notion and the vision for institutions which truly reflect the growing need for decision-making closer to the citizens. Such a process can undoubtedly help us not only develop a more holistic vision of our nation's priorities, but also spur a rediscovery our identity as one nation. Indeed, regionalism - if successful, can make us more united.
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