1 comment.Zewwieqa Waterfront project officially inaugurated in Mgarr, Gozo
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The Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo together with the the Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds and 2017 Presidency Ian Borg, have officially inaugurated the the Zewwieqa Waterfront project in Mgarr.
The work on the project included upgrading, landscaping area, parking on two levels and a promenade. The creation of pedestrian zones, landscaped plazas with seating areas and open sea views,new toilets, an area hosting the restored Dghajsa tal-Latini and an informal stage structure.
Through this project, the Ministry for Gozo said that it is strengthening the tourism product of the island and provides an alternative place of recreation for Gozitan families.
Works were started in 2008 but were subject to significant delays due to the lack of response from the industry for the manufacture and installation of tensile membrane canopy. This call was issued at least five times by the Department of Contracts. But each time the tenders submitted did not meet the criteria required, the Ministry said.
In view of these difficulties, and because of the risk of losing European funds, the Ministry decided the structure should be constructed by its employees, while the necessary material was purchased from the market after the issuance of the related calls. The work was completed in October of this year.
Also exhibited is the ‘Dghajsa Tal-Latini – The Gozo Boat’ Great interest in the last surviving example of our nautical heritage was shown by the Gozo Channel Company, the boat is, in fact, the predecessor of the Gozo Channel Company itself. Built in 1933.
Dr Borg said with the closure of the negotiations with the European Commission on the Partnership agreement and also now the Operational Programmes, it means that Gozo can now start benefiting from 10 % of the 2014-2020 Structural and Investment Funds which will be allocated to Gozo, with each priority addressed in a horizontal manner.
For the first time, the Government negotiated with a view to the island of Gozo and its people, he said.
This project cost € 4,738,774 of which € 3.7 million was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri
And in order to enable that totally unnecessary little photo-opportunity and expression of self-esteem, all parking at Mgarr – inadequate at the best of times – was suspended for 24 hours.