Gozo being strengthened (1)

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi travelled to Gozo right after holding what will in time be known as a historic press conference after news of Malta's acceptance in the eurozone was officially released. As was fitting on this occasion, the considerable number of Gozitans present at the Gozo Ministry's exhibition hall for the dialogue with the Prime Minister congratulated him wholeheartedly on this personal and national achievement. All Maltese and Gozitans living in these times are part of the new pages being written in Malta's history.

After just three years since Malta's accession in the European Union, we have experienced great infrastructural and environmental developments with the help of funds acquired through pre-accession and accession.

These projects were all commented upon during the djalogu session, with most confirming the need for the government to further invest in such crucial areas for Gozo. One must mention the overhaul of the main roads leading from Mgarr to San Lawrenz. Works on these roads included the building of new service culverts together with a new sewage system which will deliver sewage from all parts of the island towards the new waste water treatment plant, yet another ambitious project financed by the EU.

This without mentioning other projects such as the construction of a new training hotel, the building of a new crafts incubation centre and several courses funded by the EU - all addressed at enhancing the human resources and job opportunities on the island.

During the same dialogue it was mentioned that for the coming years Gozo's share of European Union funds allocated to Malta would be close to the €10million figure!

A few years ago these figures were considered to be "pepper in the eyes" as the saying in Maltese goes! But facts and figures show that the government has delivered what it had promised prior to Malta's membership in the EU. And Gozo instead of being eaten by the big fish has considerably strengthened its resources even in these first few years.