“The number of passengers crossing between Malta and Gozo confirms the urgent need for another Gozo Channel ship, as the Nationalist Party has been saying for a long time,” Alex Borg the PN Spokesperson for Gozo said on Tuesday.

According to latest figures from the National Statistics Office, a total of 1,294,314 passengers travelled between Mgarr and Cirkewwa during the first quarter, this was an increase of 9.6% when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023.

Borg argued that “everyone who crosses between the islands, especially the Gozitans, are suffering because of the Government’s lack of planning.”

He added that the Nationalist Party has been insisting that the Gozitans and Maltese “deserve another quality ship, such as the MV Malita, the MV Ta’ Pinu, and the MV Gaudos. An investment made by a Nationalist Government 22 years ago which is still being enjoyed today.”

The Shadow Spokesperson for Gozo said that it is “a disgrace” the Labour Government, in 11 years, was not able to invest in a fourth ship and instead “continues to waste the people’s money on the rental of a third class ship, which is not accessible and which does not operate at all the required times.”

“This lack is causing those who are crossing between the two islands, especially at the weekend or on holidays, to have to waste long hours on a journey that should only take a short time,” said Borg.

He concluded by saying that “the Nationalist Party expects the Government to stop throwing away the people’s money and instead invest it wisely. This can only be done by making the necessary investment and having another ship that serves the needs of the island of Gozo.”

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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