Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono told Parliament yesterday that with a record allocation of €22 million in next year's Budget, the sister island had the opportunity to become a contributor to the country's development. The Budget itself made Gozo one of the foundations upon which it was designed.
Winding up the debate on the financial estimates of her ministry, Mrs Debono belied opposition spokesman Anton Refalo who had complained that voted funds were not being utilised. She said only €163,000 were still unspent, and these were expected to be exhausted by the end of the year.
Minister Debono focused on the government's vision for Gozo as described in the eco-Gozo concept, saying that this was the first time that a document focusing on Gozo had been presented to Parliament. She emphasised that Eco-Gozo did not only deal with the environment but also with the socio, economic and cultural development of the island, ensuring sustainable development and providing Gozo with a unique opportunity to strengthen its identity. The government's vision for Gozo was an aspiration shared by all those who cherished Gozo.
A few of the projects with an impact on the environment had already been implemented. The ministry was already in discussions with the relative authorities for the use of alternative energy for street lighting, and discussions were under way to determine the cost-effectiveness. She said some projects were still awaiting approval for EU funding, while other EU funds that had already been obtained had been utilised. For the past 10 years, Gozo would have benefited from EU funding for about 52 projects, excluding funds given to local councils and other private individuals.
Mrs Debono said the Ta' Pinu roadworks ought to start before the end of the year because the tender process had been finalised, while the works on Mġarr Road were also to start. Moreover, there was an investment of €10 million for the road to be resurfaced from Xewkija to Victoria. The contract for Villa Rundle had just been sent for signature, while more than €5 million were being invested in the area of Żewwieqa.
The first phase of the radiology department at Gozo's general hospital had just been finalised and the second phase of selecting, purchasing and installing the equipment would start soon, as would work on the surgical department. The departments of physiotherapy, CCU and ITU had been embellished. Two new ambulances would be bought in the coming months through a direct allocation. Asbestos found within the general hospital would continue to be removed, while €1 million were to be spent on the extension of the integrated health information system.
There had also been heavy investment in the education sector, which had translated into good results with 85 per cent of all students in Gozo passing their Junior Lyceum exam. Extensive works, including structural work and installation of new equipment, had been carried out in schools in Gozo.
Mrs Debono highlighted the investment in the opening of a playschool in Kerċem and the works carried out to provide more accessibility. The sum of €7 million was being invested in the development of a new boys' secondary school, the first phase of which had already been finalised and students were already making use of new laboratories.
A new gym was expected to be inaugurated in the coming days at the sports complex in Gozo, which would also be provided with an indoor pool and other sports facilities in the future.
Government assistance to those furthering their studies in Malta had continued unabated, and €800,000 had been utilised to compensate students for costs such as those incurred for travelling.
Employment remained within the Government's focus. Despite the international economic situation and insulation, a new company had been offering new jobs and another company had been strengthened through Malta Enterprise. A sum of €900,000 had been provided by Malta Enterprise as aid to small enterprises in Gozo.
The tourism sector had been strengthened through the establishment of the Gozo Tourism Association, with a number of projects being undertaken such as the diving project, upgrading of Marsalforn, restoration in the Ċittadella and Ġgantija, and the berthing of cruise liners. She noted that the tender for the installation of a buoy in Xlendi was in the process of adjudication.
Earlier, opposition spokesman for Gozo Anton Refalo said that for the past four years the government had been taking Gozitans for a ride with promises of a berthing buoy at Xlendi. All that had approached Gozo had been two small cruise liners outside Mġarr. He tabled photographs of cruise liners that could berth with Gozo's existing infrastructure. All that was missing was the government's political will.
He gave a run-through of a number of projects promised but not achieved, including a new government back office, new technology and services in the Gozo general hospital, as well as a museum of modern arts.
Dr Refalo said he had written to the Italian embassy to see if it could do anything to redress the unfair share of funds allocated by the government to Gozo under the Italian protocol, to the tune of €120,000 out of €30 million. The embassy had said it could not interfere because Malta was part of the EU.
Gozitan patients had to be transferred to Malta in their hundreds, in rundown ambulances, for hospital treatment. It was disgusting that Mater Dei Hospital had now had electronic transfer of information for the past two years, but Gozo hospital did not.
The much-publicised project for eco-Gozo had already fallen far behind, and nobody seemed to know which way they were heading. There was no hope that the project would be finalised within three years.
Dr Refalo proposed that 600 Gozitan families should be helped with the funds allocated for the solar water heaters scheme and the rest from the funds for eco-Gozo, to the tune of €1.5 million over three years. The €25,000 tax credit for SMEs in Gozo could give rise to a lot of abuses. But new self-employed needed a few years to get into position to even consider expansion. The greatest help they needed was at the very start. Besides, there was a difference in the amounts that Gozitan and Maltese SMEs were being expected to invest.
On eco-Gozo Dr Refalo said the concept was barely understandable with all its words of plans, plans, plans. It was just a buzzword to impress people with the great amount of work that could be expected. Even the brochure had been printed solely in English: was this expected to help consultation?
The expected initial purchase of two new electric vehicles for the public transport service had not even happened in eight months. The government was failing to give Gozitans the right example in solar energy. There should be a pilot project to turn street lighting to solar energy sources.
There was no real plan for Gozitan members of the Armed Forces of Malta, of which there were 30 in Gozo and 100 in Malta.
Also participating in the debate were opposition MP Justyne Caruana and government back-bencher Frederick Azzopardi.