The budget measures for Gozo announced last week lacked set timeframes, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said.
Addressing a press conference in Gozo, he said AD felt the government's declared intention to embark on a public transport service reform is praiseworthy but no dates were mentioned. Moreover, no reference had been made to the Gozo Channel monopoly, which is due to come to an end this year.
AD's spokesman for Gozo, Victor Galea, commended the government's commitment to develop Gozo's economic activities based on the principle of sustainability and aimed at improving the tourist product. He also praised the government's plans to consolidate the fishing and agricultural sector and the promotion of organic farming.
However, the government needs to explain its position on the Ta' Ċenċ and Ramla l-Ħamra projects, which run counter to any sound agricultural policy, Mr Galea said.
The government has also failed to declare its position on the proposed marina and tourist village projects at Ħondoq ir-Rummien, which defeats the promotion of sustainable tourism.
The new water and electricity bills will affect the few manufacturing and tourism industries in Gozo, he said.
Mr Galea reiterated that the government should seriously consider distributing second-class water produced from the sewage treatment plant to farmers instead of wasting it by throwing it into the sea.
Despite the expenditure of over €6 million on capital projects, the government did not secure the necessary funds to complete the roads from Dwejra to San Lawrenz and the main road from the heliport to Victoria, Mr Galea added.
He expressed hope that the government will finalise these projects and ensure the funds allocated are well spent.
Prof. Cassola noted that the government had failed to announce concrete measures to overcome the obstacle of the lack of jobs in Gozo. The only way to generate jobs is by putting an end to the existing culture of favouritism, Prof. Cassola argued.
He explained that petrol and diesel price hikes would have a two-fold adverse effect on Gozitan workers. The inefficient public transport service in Malta and Gozo left workers with no alternative but to use their cars to commute to Malta.
Prof. Cassola strongly recommended an increase in frequency of public transport services from Ċirkewwa to the University and better operating hours. These measures would help reduce the drawbacks faced by over 900 Gozitan students crossing over to Malta.