During a press conference on the eve of the Nationalist Party’s General Council, Secretary General Michael Piccinino explained that this Council was built on what the Maltese people want for their country.

The General Council, themed A Youthful Malta, “is a Council built on the hope and determination we see in the Maltese and Gozitan people,” he said.

For the Gozo Region the following was noted:

We Want a Youthful Gozo

The Assembly held for General Council members in Gozo discussed the ongoing challenges in this region. The need for better connectivity, more quality jobs in Gozo, and the importance of increased foreign investment were highlighted.

It said that “in recent years, Gozo has seen a growing desire among young people to be more active and part of the movement for change in this country’s direction.”

Young people, and all Gozitans, deserve a youthful Gozo that offers hope and opportunities, the Assembly said.

During the press conference, the Executive Committee Chairperson Joe Grech provided an overview of the topics discussed during the three Assemblies for General Council members held this week in Mgarr with councillors from Malta’s northern localities, in Fgura with those from the south, and in the Gozo Region.

On a National basis the following points were discussed.

Education and Youth Inclusion

Education was a recurring theme in these meetings. Young people expressed concern that this sector is not a priority for the Government, as shown by the fact that the Budget completely overlooked both the University of Malta and MCAST.

It was found that “any students are losing motivation to study, and in addition, young people feel they cannot keep up with life and lack opportunities to enjoy their free time in a protected natural environment.”

The Assembly noted that “a serious investment is needed at every level of education, and we must ensure that our country is attractive enough for our young people to want to stay in Malta.”

Quality of Life and the Environment

Unplanned development and population growth were mentioned as issues seriously affecting the quality of life. In some localities, “the rate of new residents each year is disproportionate to what these areas and their infrastructure can handle, raising concerns for many.”

“We need to find a balance and make the necessary investment so that our country’s infrastructure does not collapse under the enormous pressure it faces,” it was said.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The need for environmental protection and a holistic mental health plan are interconnected. Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech also noted that the word “wellbeing” was not mentioned in the Budget. “This reveals how disconnected the Labour Government is from the people,” he said.

He stated that “our country urgently needs a plan truly focused on strengthening and caring for our mental health.”

Local Councils and Resources for Localities

A quality country is made up of quality localities. However, during the Assemblies, it was noted that Local Councils are struggling to cope with rising costs. With population growth, localities face increasing pressure. One example is the rise in waste, which has also led to increased costs for Councils.

It was highlighted that “funding allocations for Councils are insufficient, demonstrating a Government that not only lacks interest in strengthening Councils but seeks every opportunity to weaken them.”

“Residents deserve Councils capable of managing their localities without interference.”

Vision and Mission of the Party

It is clear that many feel the need for a strong political alternative to steer Malta out of the “dead end” it has found itself in, the Assembly found.

The leadership and speakers of the Nationalist Party emphasised the need to “maintain a balance between different policies and to address the social issues that the current Government continues to exacerbate in a strategic manner.”

Photo: PN Assembly Gozo

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