During Tuesday morning’s debate on the 2026 Budget Estimates for the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, PN Leader Alex Borg also said that the environment must be safeguarded while ensuring it “advances hand in hand with sustainable development.”

He argued that “Gozo cannot remain a victim of empty promises. Gozitans deserve peace of mind, a clear vision, and a government that delivers. Gozo deserves better – and a new Nationalist Government will give it what it deserves.”

In a speech that also addressed planning and environmental issues, the PN Leader listed a series of promises the Labour Party has made to Gozitans over the years but never fulfilled, while explaining the Nationalist Party’s vision to improve the quality of life of Gozitans in Gozo.

Alex Borg noted the stark difference between those who speak and those who deliver, recalling the various projects the Labour Government has long mentioned for Gozo but which have never materialised, including:

· The new 430-bed hospital

· The Marsalforn breakwater

· The expansion of MCAST

· The Marsalforn multi-level car park

· The restoration of Qolla l-Bajda Battery

· The creation of a regional natural park

· The pledge for a climate-neutral Gozo

· The Carnival Village

He also referred to the promise of a new Court in Gozo, and while welcoming the news that the government has finally signed an agreement to acquire a property to be converted into the new court building, he reminded Parliament that this promise has been broken for 13 years.

“We have been promised, year after year, that a new Court in Gozo would be built,” said Alex Borg, noting that the budget presented by Government made no reference to it, and now a new agreement is suddenly being announced. “This is positive, although very late,” said the PN Leader, adding that “what is now needed is clear assurance on the questions being raised – including confirmation that the site was selected following consultation, and a clear timeline with an estimated date for when the Court will begin operating.”

Borg also called for full transparency in this project, urging the Government to provide cost estimates and allocated funds. He also asked whether a monitoring committee would be established, including representatives of workers, lawyers, and court staff in Gozo, to provide their input on the new Court.

The PN Leader spoke about the current situation in Gozo and the standard of living of Gozitans, explaining how Gozo has “lost the calm and quality of life it once enjoyed – traffic into Victoria has become unbearable; connectivity issues persist with an ageing second-class vessel that continues to threaten accessibility for the elderly; a new hospital has been promised three times but remains only on paper; and roads are in disastrous condition despite Gozo barely benefitting from the €700 million allocated to road infrastructure.”

He highlighted delays in services for children with special needs, and other long-promised projects such as those for Xlendi and Marsalforn, where a master plan was supposed to be delivered.

He also referred to the Gozo Museum project, where after nine years of dragging feet, €5 million in EU funds were lost, as well as the Innovation Hub, which was meant to be a cradle for start-ups and opportunities for young people but remains devoid of any real vision.

Alex Borg stated that Gozo now urgently needs:

• New vessels and reliable connectivity, supported by a serious reform and plan for the M?arr Port

• Decent infrastructure from M?arr upwards

• A vision for SMEs in sectors such as FinTech and MedTech within the Innovation Hub

• A traffic-management plan for Victoria

• Social and medical services with genuine accessibility

• A new hospital with a clear plan and deadlines

• A University campus offering creative and sustainable courses

• An ITS that becomes a centre for small-scale tourism alongside high-quality tourism and the establishment of a Gozo Tourism Authority

Speaking about planning and the environment, the PN Leader stressed that the environment must be protected and aligned with sustainable development.

Alex Borg said that the budget “failed to take planning seriously,” and that the “more and more” development model has collapsed because it is placing enormous pressure on localities and essential services.

He noted that the Government’s attempted planning reform – “introduced quietly, without consultation and without any clear vision – collapsed after being exposed by NGOs and the Opposition, forcing Government to backtrack under public pressure.”

Instead of maintaining balance, he said, “the Government attacks the environment when Malta needs an approach where the environment and development complement one another, with development strengthening localities rather than destroying them.”

“The Labour Government’s policy of pitching the environment against development has failed,” said the PN Leader. He also spoke about the Planning Authority, noting that “Malta needs a true planning authority – not a permits authority – one that is modern, clear and consistent, operating with less red tape and greater efficiency.”

Alex Borg concluded by saying that, “a new Nationalist Government will ensure less bureaucracy that prolongs processes and discourages people, with greater investment in technology and AI to strengthen transparency and planning. This will be achieved through the introduction of new schemes that promote quality development, rewarding those who improve urban and rural quality: rebates or tax credits, fast-tracking, and access to green financing for those who meet the highest standards.”

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