Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that the government is committed on delivering the promise with regards to the tunnel, as a permanent link between Malta and Gozo. Dr Muscat however said that this project will take time as a lot of studies need to be carried out before works actually start.
Speaking in Gozo and accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech during the activity Gvern Li Jisma', the Prime Minister said that the government needs to look into the feasibility of the project. This includes financial feasibility, geological tests and environmental impact assessments. Dr Muscat said that the project, once it takes off, will need an average of six to eight years for completion. However, he warned that the project will definitely cause controversy, especially with regards to the environment. "If the tunnel is given the green light, we need to see where the openings of the tunnels will be. Surely, you will understand that the project cannot start in Cirkewwa and end in Imgarr. We will probably need to set the opening in an area which is surrounded by fields, not in urban areas."
Among the promises he mentions and intends to keep, the Prime Minister mentioned the race track however he promised that the project should be environmentally feasible.
In his introduction, the Prime Minister said that the coming year is the most important one throughout the legislature. "We have managed to do what we promised prior to the last general election, but more needs to be done."
"We are implementing the promises you voted for. The public can see the difference in the quality of air, by the amounts of money in their pockets and their better quality of life," he added.
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said that Gozo is, and will remain a very important element for this government. He said that the public can judge by the results in tourism, economy and employment. "We believe in the potential Gozo has to offer and in the ability of its people."
Dr Grech said that in the coming days, the government will be implementing a strategy for Gozo so that the people in Gozo to have a better quality of life. The funding for this strategy will be from the government and the European Union.
We managed to do a lot of reforms, economy growth and employment. We also managed to give civil rights, right for persons with disability and we need to cont to do these reforms which will help the future generations.
Asked on the environment, the Prime Minister said that this government is often criticized by many on the lack of respect for the environment. However, he said that his government made the least possible use of outside development zone. He gave the Zonqor point project with Sadeen as an example.
A member of the public asked about Barths medical school and how will it work in cooperation with the government hospital. "I can assure you that the medical services in Gozo, will be even better than that in Malta," the Prime Minister replied. He assured that the project will guarantee the current jobs and that the only difference will be in the service provided to patients - "we will now provide world class service," he concluded.
On Dwejra, Dr Muscat said that the government wanted to take action immediately to replace the beauty which was lost.