“We will work together to make Gozo the centre of our politics and not just an annex of Malta, or indeed forgotten.” This was said during a press conference on the 12 pillars of the PN, which it said, is presenting a clear master plan for a “better and brighter Gozo.”

Opposition Spokesperson for Gozo Chris Said, remarked that the budget did not address the problems of Gozitans.

Nothing has been said about Gozitans working in Malta despite the Government’s promise to find them a job in Gozo. “This is when the average wage in Gozo is €3,000 a year less than in Malta,” he added.

Said argued that the problem of development has not been addressed, with the beauty of Gozo being destroyed by excessive development. “There is also a drastic change in the social fabric with the number of social problems in Gozo increasing and the crime rate rising.”

Chris Said said that Gozitans are suffering the consequences of the Government selling the General Hospital, and a new hospital that is supposed to have be completed two and a half years ago, is still not done.

Opposition Spokesperson for Lands, Construction and Sustainable Planning Kevin Cutajar said that the PN is placing Gozo as one of the “12 pillars of its vision” as well as the centre of political work.

He talked about accessibility; the long-mentioned fast ferry, with nothing done, the fourth ferry which is of a low standard, as well as being inaccessible to everyone, and despite the promise of a new ship for the fleet, nothing has been done.

Cutajar, speaking about the tunnel, said that the Government is “still hiding behind the excuse of the studies and has not shown what will be done.”

He said that the Government is failing to carry out the capital projects that needed to be implemented, among them: the cruiseliners facilities, the family park in Qortin and the Marsalforn breakwater. It is also essential to have quality infrastructure and roads in Gozo.

Parliamentary Deputy Joe Ellis said that Gozo is facing a “brain drain” with the lack of opportunities, and to overcome this problem we need to invest more in work for Gozitans.

He said that not enough investment is being made in employment in Gozo; the Government is focusing too much on jobs with precarious conditions that pay miserable wages instead of generating quality jobs with better pay.

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