“When I said that there was a desire for change in Gozo, no one believed me, because they said that Gozitans never change; but Gozitans are looking to the future and today they have given back tenfold the faith I have in them. I am certain that Gozo can yet again deliver a strong message on the 24th of May.”

Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister and Leader of the Partit Laburista stated the above during a political activity held at Xaghra at the weekend.

The Prime Minister claimed that on the 24th of May, “everyone has to do his/her homework well, even those who are somewhat hurt, because in spite of the hurt, every person is aware that this Government works relentlessly and is truly making a difference in people’s lives.”

Joseph Muscat explained that contrary to what the PN is claiming, in Gozo, “this Government has created 312 new jobs as opposed to 10 jobs created during the final 9 months of Nationalist administration. The same can be said with respect to self-employed persons. During the first 9 months of PL Government, there were 404 new self-employed individuals in Gozo, as opposed to 50 new self-employed during the final 9 months of Nationalist administration.”

The Prime Minister affirmed, “our policy for Gozo has been and will remain work in Gozo for Gozitans.” Dr Muscat added, “That is why they are hiding their Gozo representatives, because, this type of criticism definitely cannot be justified coming from the same party who failed completely in job creation. Although we have not yet reached our goals, these numbers are very indicative.”

The PL Leader continued, “at the beginning of this legislature, we started working on the Yacht Marina and the Cruise Liner Terminal; and just as we kept our word and reduced the utility bills in the first year, during this legislature we pledge that a project will be carried out from which many families will be earning their living.”

Dr Muscat said, “we have also embarked on various smaller projects which are bearing fruit. Whenever others mentioned projects, these projects came and went. We move in a different way, and through a €1 million investment, 100 new jobs will be created in Gozo. This is a completely new investment for Gozo, which is sending a strong message to Gozitan young people who wish to work in the IT sector.”

The Prime Minister mentioned that once Government has convinced this particular company to invest in Gozo, other companies will follow and will be encouraged to invest in the Gozitan island.

“If you earn millions in consultancies, you will not care whether fuel prices are reduced or otherwise; to see whether these measures do have an impact and if it makes a difference, one should ask the workers, the self-employed, the farmers, the fishermen,” Dr Muscat said, “that is the difference between those who are cut off from people’s realities and those who truly understand the people’s needs.

“We are not saying that we are perfect, but we have increased jobs, the economic growth rate has increased, we reduced the utility bills and we work endlessly to improve the quality of life of every person from every sector.”

The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the importance of keeping on striving to convince people to go out and vote for all PL MEP candidates on the 24th of May.

Anton Refalo, Minister for Gozo and PL MEP candidates Lino Bianco and Cyrus Engerer also intervened during this event.

Photographs by Alain Salvary.

Permalink: Policy for Gozo has been & will remain work in Gozo for Gozitans – PM