Gozo then, Gozo now – The Malta Independent

While crossing to Gozo on the ferry, I overheard two elderly Maltese passengers quietly discussing the island’s past and present. Their conversation turned to the years when Anton Tabone served as Minister for Gozo under the Nationalist administration and how those years compare with the situation today. As they spoke, their reflections revealed something striking. The comparison between that period and the present state of the Gozo ministry exposes two very different approaches to governance, priorities, and results on the island. What they described was not merely a change of ministers, but a contrast between two distinct philosophies of how the government was managing and developing Gozo.

Anton Tabone held the Gozo portfolio between 1987 and 1996 under the Nationalist administration led by Eddie Fenech Adami. That period followed the turbulent years of the 1970s and early 1980s when Gozo lagged significantly behind Malta in infrastructure, investment and public services. The ministry therefore adopted a clear mission: close the development gap between the two islands while preserving Gozo’s social fabric.

During Tabone’s tenure, the Ministry for Gozo acted as a genuine driver of development rather than a mere administrative department. The philosophy guiding the ministry focused on long-term investment in infrastructure, accessibility and quality of life. Road building and upgrading formed a central pillar of that strategy. Many arterial and village roads received resurfacing, widening or complete reconstruction. The works rarely attracted publicity campaigns; instead they followed practical priorities based on the needs of communities and agriculture.

The ministry started several structural projects that continue to shape Gozo today. The expansion of the harbour facilities at Mġarr improved maritime access to the island. Rural roads connecting villages to farming areas received attention because agriculture still represented a crucial economic sector. Public buildings such as schools, health facilities and administrative offices underwent modernisation.

Tabone also understood that economic sustainability required employment opportunities on the island itself. His ministry supported the development of industrial zones in Xewkija and other areas in order to encourage light manufacturing and small enterprises. Tourism development followed a balanced approach which emphasised quality rather than sheer numbers. The island promoted itself as a quiet alternative to Malta’s busier resorts, preserving the charm that made Gozo attractive to visitors.

Another defining characteristic of the Tabone period involved cooperation between local councils and the ministry. When the local council system emerged in the early 1990s, the Gozo ministry worked closely with mayors and councillors to address infrastructure needs. Decision-making often relied on direct consultation with village representatives rather than centralised directives.

The maintenance of roads during those years formed part of routine governance. Resurfacing programmes took place periodically across the island, and although resources remained limited compared with Malta, the general state of roads rarely provoked widespread public frustration. Agricultural access roads, coastal routes and village streets benefited from steady upkeep. The emphasis lay on functionality rather than grand announcements.

Contrast this with the present condition of the ministry and a different picture emerges. Over the past decade, the Ministry for Gozo has seen its role gradually shift. While budgets have increased in nominal terms, the effectiveness often faces criticism from residents and local councils alike.

The most visible example concerns the deteriorating state of many roads across the island. In Victoria, Marsalforn, Xewkija and several other localities, motorists encounter potholes, uneven resurfacing and temporary patchwork repairs. Roads frequently remain excavated for extended periods following works by utility providers, such as the Water Services Corporation or telecommunications companies. After trenches close, contractors often leave behind rough surfaces that degrade rapidly under traffic.

Such conditions create frustration for residents who remember periods when road maintenance occurred more systematically. The island’s growing population and rising number of vehicles certainly place greater strain on infrastructure. Yet critics argue that the real problem lies not only in increased traffic but also in fragmented planning and weak coordination between agencies.

During the Tabone years, the ministry itself maintained a more direct supervisory role over works in Gozo. Today, several responsibilities lie with national entities such as Infrastructure Malta or the central government departments in Malta. As a result, decision-making sometimes occurs far from the island, reducing the ministry’s ability to respond quickly to local needs.

Another point of contrast involves administrative focus. Tabone’s ministry often concentrated on long-term projects designed to improve Gozo’s structural position within the national economy. Current administrations frequently highlight short-term initiatives or promotional campaigns, while larger infrastructure challenges remain unresolved. Residents regularly point to delayed projects, prolonged construction works and unclear timelines for completion.

The tourism sector illustrates the difference in philosophy. During the 1990s, Gozo marketed itself as a tranquil destination with controlled development. Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in day-trippers arriving from Malta, placing pressure on roads, parking spaces and public amenities. Without corresponding infrastructure upgrades, congestion in areas such as Victoria, Marsalforn and the Mgarr harbour area has intensified.

Population growth also contributes to this pressure. Gozo’s population has increased significantly over the past decade while tourism arrivals and vehicle registrations have surged. These factors demand a more sophisticated infrastructure strategy, yet residents often feel that road maintenance and urban planning struggle to keep pace.

Critics therefore argue that the present ministry risks becoming symbolic while real decisions shift toward central government agencies in Malta. In this context, the island’s infrastructure challenges – particularly the condition of roads – serve as daily reminders of the gap between policy announcements and practical results.

It would, however, be unfair to suggest that today’s ministry operates without achievements. Various restoration projects, cultural initiatives and social programmes have taken place. European Union funding has supported environmental and heritage schemes across the island. Yet the everyday experience of residents revolves around basic infrastructure such as roads, transport and urban planning. When these appear neglected, broader accomplishments receive less recognition.

Looking back at Anton Tabone’s period therefore reveals more than nostalgia. It highlights a model of governance where the Ministry of Gozo exercised strong responsibility for the island’s development and infrastructure. The emphasis lay on steady improvement rather than publicity, consultation rather than centralisation, and maintenance rather than crisis management.

Today, Gozo stands at a different stage of its evolution. The island faces heavier traffic, a larger population and greater tourism pressures than those of the early 1990s. These realities demand efficient infrastructure planning and rigorous coordination among agencies. When residents compare the condition of roads and public spaces with earlier decades, they often perceive a decline not because resources have diminished but because management and priorities have changed.

The legacy of Anton Tabone therefore continues to shape expectations among Gozitans. His tenure established a benchmark for what the Ministry for Gozo could achieve when it functioned as the island’s principal engine of development. Whether the present administration can restore that sense of direction remains an open question – one that every driver navigating Gozo’s potholes confronts daily.