Environment
Moviment Harsien Hondoq
17 April 2009 15:30
 Hondoq ir-Rummien – an accident waiting to happen?
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Moviment Harsien Hondoq received this letter from Lesley Kreupl:
This photo was taken on Good Friday – these two children were having fun running around in the sun and getting rid of some energy, probably after being confined indoors for hours during a nice family lunch. However their energy and inquisitiveness could have had dire consequences. One little slip, a gust of wind, a wave, another bit of concrete breaking off.... It is not far to fall, but the rocks are razor sharp and the water icy. The temptation to look too great.....
Hondoq ir-Rummien was severely damaged by storms in the middle of January. Since then the beach has been graded and some of the boulders have been removed and dumped on the parking ground, a couple of notices have also been erected warning people not to venture any closer (not much use as children normally do not or cannot, read signs), the surviving ladders have been painted. That is the extent of the repairs which have been carried out during the past 12 weeks! Wow.
To be fair, I realize that the dreadful weather must have hampered repair work at times, however, the huge gaping hole can still be approached from all sides – there are no safety barriers whatsoever. If this situation continues into the summer season, which is after all just a few weeks away, the potential danger created by this hole will be immense. I can just imagine 'brave' kids daring each other to venture down to explore it, worse still trying to jump or dive down into it. Night-time visitors stumbling in the dark, or even a car driving just too close!
In addition - as far as I could see - the boulders which were washed up against the quay where people dive from, are still there which means that the water is no longer very deep and therefore unsafe for diving.
All in all, this bay is in an extremely dangerous condition. Not only that, it certainly no longer exudes the welcoming charm people have come to expect and love! I feel sorry for those few tourists who will hopefully be able to afford to find their way to Gozo again this year – what a disappointment they are in for!
The repair work cannot be carried out, or paid for, by the Qala Local Council, the damage is simply too extensive. Therefore, the Ministry for Gozo and the Tourism Authority are duty bound to carry out the necessary repairs and embellishments to this bay without delay.
The government keeps on complaining about poor tourism figures, pays millions to consultancy companies to tell them what they are doing wrong and yet doesn't seem to be prepared to do anything to improve existing facilities. Shame, how sad, how sad for those whose livelihood depend on tourism!
This photo was taken on Good Friday – these two children were having fun running around in the sun and getting rid of some energy, probably after being confined indoors for hours during a nice family lunch. However their energy and inquisitiveness could have had dire consequences. One little slip, a gust of wind, a wave, another bit of concrete breaking off.... It is not far to fall, but the rocks are razor sharp and the water icy. The temptation to look too great.....
Hondoq ir-Rummien was severely damaged by storms in the middle of January. Since then the beach has been graded and some of the boulders have been removed and dumped on the parking ground, a couple of notices have also been erected warning people not to venture any closer (not much use as children normally do not or cannot, read signs), the surviving ladders have been painted. That is the extent of the repairs which have been carried out during the past 12 weeks! Wow.
To be fair, I realize that the dreadful weather must have hampered repair work at times, however, the huge gaping hole can still be approached from all sides – there are no safety barriers whatsoever. If this situation continues into the summer season, which is after all just a few weeks away, the potential danger created by this hole will be immense. I can just imagine 'brave' kids daring each other to venture down to explore it, worse still trying to jump or dive down into it. Night-time visitors stumbling in the dark, or even a car driving just too close!
In addition - as far as I could see - the boulders which were washed up against the quay where people dive from, are still there which means that the water is no longer very deep and therefore unsafe for diving.
All in all, this bay is in an extremely dangerous condition. Not only that, it certainly no longer exudes the welcoming charm people have come to expect and love! I feel sorry for those few tourists who will hopefully be able to afford to find their way to Gozo again this year – what a disappointment they are in for!
The repair work cannot be carried out, or paid for, by the Qala Local Council, the damage is simply too extensive. Therefore, the Ministry for Gozo and the Tourism Authority are duty bound to carry out the necessary repairs and embellishments to this bay without delay.
The government keeps on complaining about poor tourism figures, pays millions to consultancy companies to tell them what they are doing wrong and yet doesn't seem to be prepared to do anything to improve existing facilities. Shame, how sad, how sad for those whose livelihood depend on tourism!
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Comments
A Mercieca - 22 April 2009 13:28
The state of Hondoq is a picture of our poor island which is being neglected and let down. It is a shame. SOS Gozo.
Martina Ron Zerafa - 20 April 2009 19:46
This is a joke when the weather gets hot nothing will stop people from going to swim and enjoy Hondoq bay, now the authority have to make a serious decision, the danger is still there and it's a disgrace to the island and all the Ministers who is responsible for the funding to repair the damage coused by the weather, they owe it to our heritage and to the people, after all we are citizins of Gozo!
david Rapa - 19 April 2009 13:53
@ mariella galea
I agree wtih you 100%.
Today in fact on a local English newspaper, a letter by Ms. Miriam Muscat from the Gozo Ministry quotes "In the meantime, the Ministry for Gozo has issued a public tender for the “removal of boulders from sea bed at Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay in Qala” (Advt.No. WB 06/2009). Sealed tenders relative to this call will be received up to 27 April. The Ministry is also in the process of issuing another tender connected with the repair of the quay."
This confirms what you are saying!!!
The plan is to keep people away this summer so then the developers can say that not many people visit Hondoq.
Mariella Galea - 18 April 2009 09:07
The quay has been left in disrepair to spite all those who opposed the Hotel and Marina Project. The Government has people that test the strength of Piers, therefore whoever is concerned knew all along of the situation, also knowing about the lack of money hence the project. Now people are protesting about the situation and we will be offered again the Hotel and marina Project, and like the GULLIBLE people we all are we will say another YES, because better a Hotel and Marina than a crumbling dangerous bay which cannot be used anyway.
s micallef stafrace - 18 April 2009 09:04
I visit Hondoq regularily with my family. How sad it is to see such neglect and utter disregard for the environment and for the tourism industry. The Government has been saying wonderful words as our tourism crumbles around us. It is shameful to think that at the end of the day the Government's cronies will not suffer - it is those who depend on tourism who will suffer. Once more the fanciful and useless spending by the Government over the years has come to the fore since I am sure that the government's excuse will be that we have no money. Where have all the millions the Government has taken in tax gone?
James A. Tyrrell - 17 April 2009 21:18
The damage to the quay at Hondoq occurred in the region of three months ago. Does the Ministry for Gozo think it is appropriate to drag its heels over this matter for so long? And before they come back and say that they are moving as fast as they can may I just point out that they have just stated that they are only now in the process of issuing a tender connected with the repair of the quay.
Why has it taken three months to get around to issuing a tender? At this rate the whole area is going to be closed off during the busiest period of the year unless of course the Ministry for Gozo in conjunction with the MTA have come up with the idea of using the re-construction work as a tourist attraction!
P. Jones - 17 April 2009 20:17
This picture says it all!!!!
What a shame that beautiful Hondoq has been left in this disastrous state. It is an embarrassment to all Gozitans and Maltese an especially to the government. Will the necessary repairs be carried after the loss of life or limb?
Wake up whoever is responsible or else be prepared to be accountable for your lack of action
Tanja Van Poucke - 17 April 2009 19:30
Remove all the concrete and respect nature!Please do it for our children,all the locals and the tourists!Make Hondoq bay a place to come, to stay, to swim , to love, to remember ! without the fear that somebody would get hurt!To those who have the power ; don't give it a thought!Please DO IT!!!!!THANKS!
Charles Sammut - 17 April 2009 19:07
Just read where a thousand travel agents representatives from Germany will be visiting Malta and Gozo to see for themselves what the Maltese Islands have to offer..
I wonder if they will be taken to see Hondoq.
Just don't understand why those responsible with selling Malta and Gozo to tourists do not think that fixing Hondoq is a top priority. But maybe not because these travellers will not be voting at the Malta General Elections.
Franke - 17 April 2009 18:43
That is what we have been saying all along that the ministry has been sleeping. It is on record that Minister Govanna Debono is in favour of building Hondoq into a yacht marina. It is a disgrace how long it is taking the GOZO Ministry just to issue a tender.
So the tender to repair the quay is not issued yet because The Ministry is in the process of issuing another tender connected with the repair of the quay. This is a joke and people ought to know if this dragging of feet is done on purpose. I bet you that in the middle of summer works will still be going!