There will be one hundred proposals for Gozo in the Labour Party Electoral Manifesto, said Prime Minister Robert Abela while being interviewed by Melissa Vella Buhagair in Sannat, on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister also announced details of a project to lay a new submarine cable. ”A 132 kilovolt cable, costing €45 million which is what I can call an interconnector between Malta and Gozo so that we can continue strengthening the electricity distribution system.”

The interview took place in Pjazza Santa Margerita Square, the Prime Minister reiterated that one hundred proposals are based on the ”pulse of the people,” from what he hears on the streets with the people.

Asked what he wants for Gozo, Dr Abela said that that tourism remains a priority for the Island of Gozo. He also mentioned the information technology sector, which creates a wealth of new job opportunities for Gozitans. This is against the backdrop of this island maintaining its characteristic and remaining an island of villages, he said.

Abela stated that, ”investment in roads, the idea or concept of one hundred residential roads, which we have already started implementing and which will be ready within the next three years. We started a few months ago, we have already reached thirteen roads, so you can see the level of commitment there.”

“The system for strengthening the electricity distribution will also see ‘the installation of two distribution centres, in order to continue strengthening the distribution system,” said the PM,

He said that “Investment in schools, has been continuous and therefore by the end of the next legislature, if the people give me their trust again, we will see to it that we modernise all the schools in Gozo”

The Prime Minister spoke about the second set of proposals he announced on Wednesday, particularly regarding the Gozo Channel ferry service which will be free for all Maltese and Gozitans who cross by foot between the two islands.

In addition to this, for Gozitans who cross by fast ferry for work and study purposes, there is currently a grant of €650. This will now be rising to €800.

Speaking about the Gozo Channel fleet, Abela said, ”the current fleet must rise to five, with an investment of €130 million. By the end of this year we will be issuing the tender for the purchase of two new vessels, one of 75 smaller vehicles and one of two hundred and fifty vehicles, which can carry 250 vehicles. The investment in the current fleet of three of the Gozo Channel, twenty million euros there also so that we also have a route for the cargo service that will be operating daily. The aim there is to continue to strengthen connectivity with more trips.”

The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming that the Labour Government considers Gozo as ”an economic engine.”

Photo: PL

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