The Minister for Gozo,Giovanna Debono, today presented the completion of the Citadel Masterplan. Also present were the main stakeholders involved in the Citadel Masterplan, who had participated actively in the formulation of the plan, as well as representatives of institutions, authorities and government entities involved in the Citadel and The Parliamentary Assistant within the Ministry for Gozo, Frederick Azzopardi.

Work on the Masterplan was announced a year and half ago when details were given as to how this plan was to include several studies on various aspects such as archaeology, geology, military architecture, restoration, flora and fauna, and the better use and management of this site. These are all important aspects that which go to make the Citadel the most important monument to Gozo.

During her address to those present, the Minister explained how the Ministry for Gozo is already working hard to attract and acquire the substantial funding required for implementing the proposals of the Masterplan. The Minister went on to say that it is a challenge that her Ministry will continue to address with the same determination that there had always been. She explained how in recent days a call for tenders had been issued in respect of the restoration works of the front of the Citadel bastions, covering almost half the contour of the walls. This work is funded by the Operational Program Number 1 of the Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 co-financed by the European Union, which is part of a project managed by the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs and is being carried out with the full cooperation of the Ministry for Gozo.

The Minister for Gozo also explained that as part of the same project two tenders have already been issued, one for making surveys and to gather information about the condition of the walls. The second tender was for consultancy services for geo-technique, whereby for the first time a study into the fragile condition of the rock on which the Citadel is built will be carried out and to take the necessary actions in reinforcing the rock to avoid damage. This work is proceeding apace and is being carried out by the same company that worked on the Masterplan. Also being prepared is another call for tenders regarding the restoration of the oldest part of the Citadel. This project will cost around 7 million euros and will be completed by the year 2013.

As part of the publicity for this project, an exhibition was inaugurated with a summary of recommendations made in the masterplan. This exhibition will remain open in the Centre for Culture and Arts in the Citadel during the month of July. A booklet has also been published with the same set of recommendations, that can be obtained from the exhibition site.

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