During a political activity held on Saturday evening in Ghajnsielem, the Leader of the Nationalist Party Alex Borg continued to explain his vision for the island of Gozo.

Borg stated, ”we did not come to Gozo by coincidence. This is where I learnt my values. I learnt that being in politics is a privilege. We are here because I am determined that Gozo will no longer remain an afterthought, but will be at the centre of politics.”

He said that a Nationalist Government will build on what is good and fix what needs to be fixed. Earlier, Alex Borg began launching part of the Partit Nazzjonalista’s vision for Gozo – 110 proposals aimed at ”improving the lives of Gozitans and turning Gozo into an island of quality, including proposals in the health sector.”

He said that one of the main pledges is the new hospital which Gozitans have been waiting for for 13 years. Alex Borg said that ”promises cannot remain only on paper. As was done in the past, and from its very first day, a Nationalist Government will start work on investment in a 400-bed hospital for Gozitans.”

Another proposal is for the Health Centre in Victoria, Gozo, to become operational 24 hours a day.

”A Nationalist Government will make an unprecedented investment in Gozo’s infrastructure – investment in 150km of roads, and this work will start from day one, not on the eve of an election,” said Borg.

He pledged that ”a Nationalist Government, as it did in the past, will once again invest in connectivity, with two new vessels between Malta and Gozo – a passenger vessel operating by 2029, and a separate cargo vessel operating to the Grand Harbour and the Freeport. This will be done while making the necessary investment in the ports so that all vessels can operate both in Mgarr and in Cirkewwa.”

Alex Borg also referred to the investment that a Nationalist Government will make in art and culture – an investment of €9 million in theatres in Gozo and €2 million in youth centres.

The Leader of the PN said that a Nationalist Government also wants to invest seriously in neurodivergence, and will invest €8 million in the school in Sannat for a hydropool and sensory area.

During the activity, a number of other speakers also addressed those present.

Michael Galea spoke about the stigma that still exists around mental health and how many people try to ”sweep their problems under the carpet.” Unfortunately, this leads to patients’ health deteriorating.

He said that mental healthcare needs to move closer to people in their communities. He also spoke about the shortage of workers in the health sector and said that more young people need to be incentivised to enter this field.

Michael Galea said that our country is still lagging behind when it comes to preventive care, while there is also a lack of mental health support in schools. He said that every investment made in this sector translates into a better life for people.

Kevin Cauchi spoke about how the work of local councils has changed. Under a Nationalist Government, local councils had the financial strength and resources to work and carry out beautiful projects. ”Today, they have ended up without resources and cannot implement important projects.”

He also spoke about how the Government is ”completely ignoring Local Councils, as well as the lack of investment in connectivity over these past 13 years – both in vessels and in the ports.” Kevin Cauchi also referred to the lack of investment in Gozo’s roads and maintained that the Nationalist Party in Government ”will invest fully in this island.”

Talitha Buttigieg, a young Gozitan student, said that Gozitan students face different problems from Maltese students. She referred to how many have to choose whether to leave home and live in Malta while studying, or else cross between the two islands every day. She also mentioned the lack of quality jobs in Gozo, as well as the lack of entertainment spaces for young people. The student said that the PN’s proposals for more investment in education in Gozo, better connectivity, and centres where Gozitan youths can go to enjoy themselves will mean an improvement in the lives of young Gozitans.

Nicolai Vella said that a Gozitan Prime Minister is able to meet the expectations of Gozitans because he can understand their difficulties. He said that young Gozitans end up wasting a lot of time travelling and, when they are in Gozo, feel that they have nowhere to go after work or school. He also mentioned the need for more incentives for private enterprises so that they can grow and offer more quality jobs. He also referred to the challenges young people face in entering voluntary work, and said that investment in culture helps and incentivises more volunteering among young people. He said that he looks forward to seeing a Gozitan Prime Minister” who truly understands the challenges faced by Gozitans.”

Stanley Portelli spoke about the number of government jobs being issued in Gozo “like pastizzi”. He recounted how an educator recently told him that when he asked students what they wished to become when they grow up, several students, instead of mentioning a particular career or profession they aspired to, replied that they wanted a government job. This, said Stanley Portelli, is the ”mentality being instilled in young students’ minds.”

He also spoke about the lack of investment in education in areas such as agriculture, fishing and artisanship, among others, so that these remain sectors which young Gozitans are encouraged to enter. In politics, said Stanley Portelli, ;;we cannot think only about today, but must have a vision for the future.;;

In his closing speech, the Leader of the PN said that, ”just as 22 years ago we took a decision which gave our country a Fresh Start through membership of Europe, now, on the 30th of May, we have the same responsibility on our shoulders – either to remain with more of the same, or to give our country a Fresh Start.”

He said that he will ”not do like others and promise the impossible, but is promising to prioritise people’s health and invest in health – in infrastructure, with a network of hospitals around Malta and Gozo; in prevention, with a National Health Park; in mental health, with support centres in communities; in healthcare workers, with better wages; in students entering a career in this sector, with stipends equivalent to the minimum wage; in Maltese professionals working abroad, so that they return to work in our country; and in cancer treatment, which will be completely free for patients.”

The activity was moderated by Kevin Curmi and was attended by the PN’s Gozitan candidates. The PN’s electoral campaign continues today with a Mass Rally in the heart of Cottonera, starting at 11am.

Photo: PN

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