Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi invited people to judge him on his actions, but Gozo was an example of many promises which were not fulfilled, Anton Refalo, Labour spokesperson for Gozo, said during yesterday morning’s parliamentary session discussing the estimates allocated to the Ministry for Gozo.

In his reply to Joseph Muscat, Dr Gonzi implied that truth was a monopoly of the Nationalist Party, because it had made Malta an EU member and adopted the euro, but chose to forget the good, a Labour government had done.

Dr Refalo went on to say that funds allocated to Gozo every year are not spent, to its detriment. In 2005, E7.5 million were lost, E3.7 million in 2006, no less than E8 million was lost in 2007 and E5.6 million in 2008. Some E3.6 million were going to remain unspent this year, he claimed.

Besides this a number of repeated promises were never delivered, including the golf course, conference facilities, a casino and the Ggantija project. Cruise liners visiting Gozo depended on the political will of the government, he said, and contrary to government claims, no intricate project was needed.

A new back office centre had been promised, but nothing had been done. Rather than hurrying the application, the Minister procrastinated. Even worse, the idea of centralising government offices had been done away with.

Similarly no action was seen in terms of the radiology unit and the modern operating theatre, promised in 2007, the Ggantija project and the modern art museum, promised two years ago. He was told that the land housing the courts would first have to be vacated, for the process to start.

In all, he said, parliament had allocated no less than E28.6 million to broken promises.

Measures such as that to boost use of alternative energy were positive but limited, he said, as not all the families eligible would benefit, as people had been misled to believe. Even if it were only open to Gozitan families, some 3,000 would not benefit.

Even the tax credit scheme was not viable, as it encouraged Gozitans to invest less but receive the same amount as the Maltese. If this incentive really wanted to encourage Gozitans, the ceiling had to be raised.

Eco-Gozo was a jumble of proposals, a buzz word by the ministry to impress the people. The project was not being taken seriously, he said. Dr Refalo proposed that all energy used for street lights be powered by solar energy.

Justyne Caruana said she felt duty bound to voice her preoccupation at Gozo’s bad situation, for which an incompetent government was responsible.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, said families were suffering due to unemployment, and had to resettle in Malta or abroad, not always out of choice. Only the government seemed to not realise poverty was rearing its head.

NSO statistics for 2007 reveal 18 per cent of the population to be at risk of poverty, putting Gozo four per cent above average. Without social benefits, and counting pensioners, the percentage rose to 43 per cent, which was almost half the population.

The Minister mentioned investment in a micro enterprise park in Gozo, but according to MEPA there wasn’t even a DPA report. It seemed it was all about raising expectations, she said.

Mrs Caruana praised the 60 per cent tax credit, but queried whether it was enough. Gozitan businessmen had asked her to ask whether they would be receiving what they should in transport subsidies, and such, as well as a time frame for the tax credit scheme.

The Eco-Gozo booklet mentioned things which had long been in the pipeline. Although she feared it was only there to guarantee some jobs, if it was put into practice it had potential, but there was no political will.

She appealed to Minister John Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar to look into new ambulances, mammogram apparatus and making insulin for diabetes patients available in Gozo. Mrs Caruana said she hoped debate on Gozo would go deeper in the coming years.

Frederick Azzopardi (PN) said it was easy for the Opposition to make things look simple in a crisis, but reality was different. Despite the situation, the budget kept the objectives of Vision 2015 firmly in sight.

Giving an overview of the budget, Mr Azzopardi said the government had allocated funds to one of the main challenges; uncertainty in the energy sector. Other schemes helped people enter the working world, creation of jobs, the set up a new ICT facility, tax credit initiatives and others to help the country reach its vision.

Initiatives taken by the government show Gozo is central to its priorities, as work to improve it as a tourist destination, to safeguard its cultural heritage and work for regeneration of popular bays continued.

Eco-Gozo was not just a government vision, he said, but also of all the people. The ultimate aim was clear, to make Gozo a centre of excellence in this regard, with improved quality of life and more investment.

The only proposal from the Opposition was already in the process of being implemented, he said, and at quite an advanced stage.

Gozo had benefited from a record allocation in the budget, which was proof of the government’s commitment to recognise its needs and improve it, said Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

Mrs Debono was satisfied with this unprecedented vote, allocated despite an unforgettable year, during which the world had experienced one of the worst recessions in history.

Gozo had never been given such attention, she said. This budget was three times that of the previous year, and way above the meagre E1.2 million allocated by the Labour government in 1998.

Although the Opposition had listed the funds Gozo had lost out on, Minister Debono explained that projects had to follow a schedule, which did not mean they had been forgotten. E136,000 had not been spent so far this year, but they would be, she promised.

Anton Refalo, Labour spokesperson for Gozo, had called the plan for Eco-Gozo a jumble of ideas, but it was most certainly not the case. Interestingly, she noted, Dr Refalo said the same proposals had been put forward by the Labour Party.

The Eco-Gozo pamphlet, admittedly in English, was not a waste of funds, but a chance for people to form an informed opinion.

Eco-Gozo was a unique opportunity for a better quality of life, safeguard of the environment and strengthening of identity for sustainable development. Minister Debono said she had been pleased to hear Dr Refalo’s suggestion for solar energy for street lighting, as the government had already started looking into this.

The government had diligently used the money at its disposal, and some projects were underway, whereas others were awaiting approval. Work on various roads, such as Ta’ Pinu, Xlendi and Mgarr road, was either in the negotiation process or expected to start before the end of the year

During the year the education sector had seen a number of infrastructural works, such as new tiles and ceilings, a new playschool was built, halls were restructured and E7 million had been invested in a secondary school for boys.

Although not new, the Gozo hospital was much better equipped than it used to be, she said. Two new ambulances would be bought this year, she said and E1 million had been invested in an integrated health information system.

Joseph Muscat, speaking in Gozo, had said tourism had to be strengthened all year round, but if this was their vision, it was nothing new.

The Opposition did not agree between themselves, she pointed out, as Dr Refalo said not everyone was eligible for subsidies on solar water heaters, whereas Justyne Caruana, Labour spokesperson for family, justly praised this initiative.

Minister Debono said she believed that with government commitment, challenges could be made into opportunities.