Front Favur Il-Mina said this evening that it acknowledges the progress that has been achieved over the past years with respect to the Malta-Gozo accessibility.
In reaction to Budget 2017, the Front said that it agrees with the Government's proposition for issuing a call for submissions of proposals for a fast ferry service between the islands. "Nonetheless, this must all be done without any further delays. Moreover, when this service is eventually introduced, it must be able to cater for the increasing demand."
"As remarked several times, the Front wholly agrees with the necessity of geological studies mainly on the geology of the Channel between the islands."
The Front said that it backs the agreement that was reached between Transport Malta and the University of Malta, where the latter shall be responsible to conduct geological and geophysical investigations.
"Moreover, we concur with the University rector Prof Alfred Vella that the University should play a key role in projects of national importance such as the sub-sea tunnel between Malta and Gozo, which will be both of a social and economic benefit for the whole country."
The publication of a call for proposals for the design and development of the sub-seabed Malta-Gozo tunnel is another step forward, said the Front.
"All the measures proposed are positive developments. Nonetheless, it is essential that deadlines for all these measures are kept, paired with the fact that the necessary studies should be carried out and decisions should be taken wisely, so that all predicted results are achieved."
The Front said that "one essential measure which has been omitted from the budget document is that regarding the Cargo-ferry service that used to operate between Mgarr and Sa Maison. Nonetheless, no solutions have been proposed in the budget document to alleviate the current situation."
Photograph by Alain Salvary