Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, speaking during a press conference on Budget 2023 measures, said that “Gozo will see the largest investment and capital expenditure of all time with the island benefitting from approximately €60 million in capital investment under the Sustainable Urban Development initiative.”
He mentioned that apart from this, Gozo will also be benefiting from 10% of the cohesion and agricultural investment of the European Union funds and in addition over the next seven years, the island will be allocated around €100 million from European funds that will be invested in Gozo.”
The Minister said that during this year a process began for the restoration of the aqueducts on the outskirts of Victoria, with a tender being drafted and expected to come out soon at a value of €2.5 million.
Regarding infrastructure around the island of Gozo, he mentioned that the programme of rebuilding roads continued, with €8 million allocated for this in 2023. In a few more weeks, the main road leading from Nadur to the Port of Mgarr is expected to be completed, the Minister said.
“The environment also remained a priority for the Ministry for Gozo and this year the project financed by European funds is expected to be completed to restore and rebuild 30 kilometres of rubble walls. In addition, the financial grant of the scrapping scheme of polluting vehicles in Gozo will remain at €2,000,” the Minister said.
He mentioned projects such as the Gozo Museum and the Aquatic and Sports Centre that will “strengthen the potential of Gozo, both so that Gozitans can enjoy a better standard of living and so that we can continue to make Gozo a distinct tourism destination.”
Gozo continued to be promoted in the domestic market and together with the Gozo Tourism Association, the Minister said, and explained that an incentive scheme will be launched to attract tourism to the island in partnership with tourist operators to attract more tourists year round.
The Minister claimed that investment will continue to be made in the connectivity between Malta and Gozo. “After strengthening the Gozo Channel service in recent years, this government will see that the fast ferry service is also improved to serve everyone who uses it. Work will also continue to build the Rural Airfield in Gozo.”
On education, he mentioned the upgrading of the Nadur and Victoria schools, while as regards health in Gozo, the Minister spoke about the long-awaited new health centre due to open in Victoria and said that new services will also be added in health.
Patients resident in Gozo, who have completed treatment for cancer, will benefit from the Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) Clinic service, offered at the Gozo General Hospital, the Minister said.
File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary