Watch – “The Ministry for Gozo has been given a 20% increase in the Budget, meaning a further €11 million to be used for projects and initiatives in Gozo for Gozitans,” said Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana.
The Minister for Gozo was addressing a news conference on the measures which were presented in Budget 2020.
“This is a budget that in itself is a clear statement of the Government’s commitment to the development of Gozo and Gozitan aspirations,” said Dr Caruana.
The Minister for Gozo noted that in this budget the Government looked at the island in a holistic manner – with social measures, others to incentivise job creation in Gozo, measures intended to strengthen and diversify economic activity and tourism, capital and infrastructure projects, as well as concrete measures to mitigate the challenge of connectivity.
The Minister said that the measures introduced last year which directly affect the Gozitan workers, patients and their relatives and employers, have been extended to target a wider range of people.
She also pointed out that capital projects spoken about over the past years are now underway, with many at an advanced stage, while other new major projects have been launched, including Masterplans for the regeneration of the tourist areas of Marsalforn and Xlendi.
The Minister said that this Budget is also devoted to the rebuilding of roads, with a “significant jump” from about €1 million in 2017 to €10 million for 2020.
“This will lead to an ambitious programme of work on new roads in Gozo, complemented by the rebuilding of the Mgarr Road to Nadur and St Anthony Street Ghajnsielem, as well as by the road from Victoria to Marsalforn,” said Dr Caruana.
She said the introduction of the fourth ship was a success and praised by many, with a tender to be issued for a permanent forth addition to the Gozo Channel fleet.
Investment will also be made for Gozo Channel to increase efficiency, through the introduction of e-ticketing, resulting in a time-saving facility for passengers, concluded Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana.
Photograph: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri