Government to start construction of three schools
Government plans to initiate the construction of three primary schools in the coming year — one in St Paul’s Bay, one in Marsascala and the other in Rabat, Gozo.
Educational use of tablets in every Year 4 class in all primary schools has also been promised. In addition, computers older than eight years in primary schools will be replaced, and the government plans to strengthen WiFi infrastructure and access.
Services provided by the national literary agency, as well as libraries will be improved and two new family literacy centres will be opened.
English and Maltese courses during the scholastic year, as well as over summer for foreign students who speak neither language will be strengthened.
The 2017 budget includes a rather interesting proposal to help tackle illiteracy among local pupils by using football. The aim of the project is to use football as a means to help illiterate children learn to read. This project will launch in four schools — Bormla, Birkirkara, St Paul’s Bay and Rabat, Gozo.
Stipends will again be revised pro-rata.
Government will also review the earnings thresholds of students tied in with their eligibility for supplementary grants. Students with disability, as well as students living in Church homes and conservatories will automatically be considered eligible for maintenance grants.
Government has also said that it will team up with local and foreign universities for teachers to graduate in a pedagogy of vocational subjects which they can then teach in secondary education institutions. In addition, €400,000 will be made available to persons from state and other schools who request paid leave in order to have a chance to further their studies.
The minister also announced that work will continue on capital projects at the University of Malta, which include the extension of the Materials Engineering Lab, the Mathematics and Physics building, the Postdoc building, the Multi-religion building, renovations at the Valletta campus and Junior College campus. Government will also contribute towards a university residence and community car park at Tal-Qroqq.
As for MCAST, development of the new campus will continue.
Through the Esplora Science Centre, Malta will have its first interactive science centre. “Government’s long-term vision is for there to be more Maltese professionals in the science professions so that the island will have the human capital needed for a competitive knowledge-based economy.”
He also said that JobsPlus will continue with programmes related to work exposure, traineeships, access to employment, investing in skills, work placement schemes, etc.
Energy
Enemed to develop €50 million filling station at Ħas-Saptan
Minister Scicluna said that Enemed will modernise its fuel storage plant in Ħas-Saptan and will develop a new €50 million filling station. This, the minister said, will result in the closure of the Birżebbuġa plant. “Enemed is also working on modernising its jet fuel storage facilities at the airport through a €15 million investment. This project is expected to begin during the first few months of 2017.”
The minister said that the heavy fuel oil plant will soon be shut down, and operations will soon begin on two plants utilising natural gas. Through these developments, the minister said that the Marsa station will no longer be on cold standby and will be completely decommissioned, resulting in a future regeneration of the zone. In 2017, he said, the dismantling of the oldest Delimara plant, including boilers, turbines and the chimney, will begin.
Government will also continue working on a gas pipeline to Sicily. “In 2016, work was done to identify a sea corridor where the pipeline can pass. Geological tests to find the best underground route under Delimara are underway.”
Renewable Energy
Malta to reach halfway mark of 2020 renewable energy targets by end of year
The Energy and Water Agency established to handle renewable energy and the efficiency of said energy has continued to work through a number of initiatives related to sustainability, security of supply and energy and water affordability in Malta, the minister said.
“By the end of this year, we expect to reach half of our 10% goal for 2020. Malta will have around 95 to 100 megawatt peak through photovoltaic panels through schemes.”
In 2016, preparatory work occurred to provide opportunities for investment in renewable energy through community solar farms on the Fiddien reservoir. “In August, the European Commission approved a €140 million scheme for large-scale renewable energy installations. In 2017, we will continue with grant schemes for residents who wish to install photovoltaic panels on their homes.”
Other schemes that will be introduced include incentivising the use of heat pump water heaters, double glazing, roof insulation, solar water heaters, etc. “We estimate that through these schemes we will help around 1,000 families and reduce around 440 metric tonnes of CO2.”
The Conservation Unit at the Energy and Water Agency will continue studying the potential of school roofs for the production of renewable energy, and the first solar farms will be built in the coming year.
Enterprises which utilise high amounts of energy will also be helped, through Malta Enterprise, to invest in systems to improve their energy efficiency.
Hoteliers will, in 2017, benefit from a new scheme through forms of gains on savings registered in their energy consumption.
Water
€1.5 million to landscape the area around Ta’ Barkat plant
The Water Services Corporation recently completed work on three polishing plants for tertiary treatment of urban waste water in order to have alternative water for farmers and industry. Once commissioning concludes, a water increase of around seven million cubic metres is expected. Electronic dispensers working through top-up cards will be installed.
In 2017, €1.5 million will be spent on landscaping the area around the Ta’ Barkat plant and reducing the smells.
€1.5 million will also be spent on the sewage system on Cachia Zammit Street in Żejtun.
Infrastructure
Kappara project expected to conclude by end of 2017
The Kappara project is expected to conclude by the end of 2017, Minister Scicluna explained. In the meantime, he said, preparations will begin so that once this project concludes, the Marsa project can begin.
He also said that the Triton Fountain project will begin next year.
Government also plans to widen the Ħamrun bypass between the Santa Venera tunnels and the slip road towards Qormi, as well as create a number of new junctions across the island.
Minister Scicluna mentioned that government will begin giving incentives to particular groups to promote the use of organised transport. In 2017, a tax deduction on 150% of expenses, up to a maximum of €35,000 a year, will be given to companies who offer free transport for their workers. The same up to a €50,000 amount will be given to each company if they partner up with another company to offer this service.
Government also announced that all government entities employing more than 50 employees will be asked to put forward a sustainable transport plan.
The minister also said that anyone turning 18 in 2017 will be given one year free bus travel, amounting to a maximum of €312 per person.
With regard to oil exploration, government will also create a national company to look at the operations of this sector.
Tourism
Some 1.9 million tourists will be visiting Malta by the end of the year. The aim is to reach two million in 2017, the minister said.
Through Malta Enterprise, help will be offered when it comes to costs tied with renovation work for restaurants and hotels, by offering a fiscal credit tied to renovation works up to a €50,000 maximum for restaurants, and €200,000 for hotels.
Turning to Air Malta, the minister said: “One of the greatest challenges is Air Malta. The national carrier cannot continue to operate as a standalone airline with a small fleet. Government understands the need for Air Malta to team up with a larger organisation as this gives the airline an advantage.”
Government plans on broadening Pinto Wharf by 15 metres so that a second cruise liner pier capable of catering for 300 metre cruise-liners can be built.
The minister also announced that a committee will be set up to work for Comino to be given the status of a National Park.
With regard to the ITS Institute campus at Smart City, work will begin in 2017.
Facilities at the Mediterranean Conference Centre will be improved to attract more conferences to Malta, he added.
The minister also said that work is underway for the Malta Film Commission to offer a better package of incentives to attract more films to Malta. In addition, more changes in the Malta Film Fund, to make it more effective, will occur.