The Nationalist Parliament has said that from the last meeting of the Parliamentary Committee for Gozo Affairs it became clear that Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri’s voice is “weak in terms of Gozo’s connectivity with Malta.”

In a statement, the PN warned that “this is especially worrying when connectivity between the islands is important and one expects a strong, clear and determined vision.”

The Minister’s answers show that the Government has “no plans and no vision on a connectivity strategy,” the PN said.

It highlighted the fact that, “when asked about using a second fibre optic cable between the islands that the Government took eight years to build, and the long-running Gozo Innovation Hub a year and a half after its inauguration, it appears that the Ministry for Gozo has very little involvement, even though these are very important tools for the economy of Gozo.”

Regarding the new fourth fourth ship promised by the Government, it has emerged that there is no decision yet, much less clear timeframes when this ship will be built and how it will be acquired, the PN said.

“Meanwhile people are having to avail themselves of the Nikolaos, an inaccessible ferry of low standards for which it is costing €13,000 a day,” it said.

The PN also lamented the fact that the government has no thoughts of reintroducing a cargo ship between Valletta and Gozo, despite its need, after the service was abolished five years ago.

According to the PN, Minister Camilleri had no answer when asked about the inconvenience, pollution and extra costs that would be saved if the shipment of the goods is done by sea instead of by land to Cirkewwa as is currently the case.

The statement was signed by Chris Said Opposition spokesperson for Gozo; Kevin Cutajar Opposition spokesman for European Funds and Voluntary Organisations and Joseph Ellis Opposition Spokesperson for Constitutional Reform, Social Dialogue and National Broadcasting.

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