The Government was crystal clear in its last budget when it did not give Gozo a mention, Nationalist Party Leader Adrian Delia said on Sunday.

Speaking at the PN General Council in Gozo, the Opposition Leader insisted that the start of the general council in Gozo was not just a means of tokenizing or symbolism, but was meant to give a clear message to the current government that Gozo is a priority for the Nationalist Party.

He declared that they will be pushing to amend the Constitution to allow for "decisions for Gozo to be made in Gozo", making a region of its own.

"We must put everything up for public consultation for the Gozitans."

The lack of a fourth boat, as of yet, was also pointed out by Delia, who suggesting purchasing a fifth in case there is need for repairs or maintenance, and the possibility of a fast-ferry service such as one in Italy which "guarantees 100 trips a day".

This, he said, was because the government has only spoken about plans that will take an extended period of time to complete, and is overlooking adequate solutions for the short and medium term.

This lack of planning, Delia insisted, was also clear in Muscat's plan to grow the economy through population growth, something he believes has led to cheaper prices for goods in Germany than in Malta, and cheaper rental prices for apartments in Italy than in Malta.

"According to their (the Government's) own statistics, in the next five to six years there will be more foreigners than Maltese working in the private sector."

 

Health & Education

With regards to the health sector situation on Malta's sister island, Delia expressed his frustration at the sale of hospitals to Vitals, who didn't even have one day of experience in the health sector.

"Joseph Muscat only came to Gozo after we said we were coming.

"I would have invited him for a debate and I would have asked him why he had forgotten the Gozitans."

He also focused on the use of containers as classrooms, zeroing in on comments made where it was said that the aforementioned containers made better classrooms than of the actual schools.

"By saying that containers are better than classroom, the government declared a failure in education."

 

Farmers & Elders

Delia accused Muscat of not planning a future for his country but only for himself as he was making it clear that he wants to leave, particularly with regards to his comments on pensions which Delia has condemned as "blackmail".

"Muscat also failed the elderly when he said that people's pensions depended on the foreigners. A society that does not respect its elders is a truly rotten society. These things are decisions of someone who is leaving and that is dangerous."

Farmers also brought up such planning issues in meetings he had with them recently in various localities, who feared and complained that this government would destroy the sector and Maltese products with it.

"The Government wants numbers, and we want to focus on the common good."