AD urges government to act on Gozo

It is time that the government takes up Alternattiva Demokratika's proposals for Gozo and starts implementing them instead of avoiding them, AD chairman Harry Vassallo said.

Speaking at a press conference at the party offices in Gozo, Dr Vassallo said Gozo deserved greater attention through specific measures tailored to its particular circumstances.

Among other issues, Dr Vassallo spoke on Gozitans working in Malta. "Time and again we have invited the government to set an example and to transfer to Gozo more of its back-office work while providing incentives for the location of such work in Gozo by private companies.

"It is very disappointing that some attempts by the private sector which anticipate any such incentive scheme have been frustrated by excess bureaucracy," Dr Vassallo said. Victor Galea, AD secretary general and spokesman for Gozo, said that "while it is noted with satisfaction that a public transport service between Cirkewwa and Luqa airport has been established in line with proposals made by Alternattiva Demokratika, public transport in Gozo remains a joke in poor taste.

"Gozo can also be directly assisted at no expense to the government if the proposal made by AD to shift public holidays falling on weekdays to a Friday or a Monday is implemented," he said.

Dr Vassallo said that while aiding productivity all over the country, such a move would sustain Gozo by increasing the incidence of long weekend breaks, which many Maltese choose to spend in Gozo.