The Nationalist Party in government has always catered for the needs of Gozo. The measures taken during last budget reaffirmed the Nationalist Party’s commitment to the island and all its visitors, being locals or foreign. This also confirms Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s commitment to improve every sector of Malta’s society, while at the same time continue reaping the fruits of our European success story.

Year after year, the Nationalist government invested millions of liri on projects specifically for the sister island. This year’s budget for Gozo is 10 times more than what was budgeted under the Labour administration in 1997. Let us not forget that Sant’s 22-month government removed the Gozo Ministry.

The measures taken by the Malta Labour Party in government make us believe that Gozo is not as important. This year, the government allocated Lm31 million for the development of Gozo, adding another million Maltese liri just a few days ago. Altogether, a total budget of Lm32 million has been allocated to maximise the island’s major potential.

The measures taken by Nationalist administrations have helped to attract investment in every sector and improve the standard of living. Training and entrepreneurship assistance offered by Malta Enterprise, together with investment in education are improving the quality of the Gozitan product and assisting the industry to develop further.

Investments in the educational sector include:

• the building of a modern school complex to replace the area secondary and Junior Lyceum;

• the provision of more courses that will cater for Gozo’s particular needs; and

• a new ITS centre.

Together with this, one must also mention an incubation centre for artisan work in Ghajnsielem that will help people to develop SMEs while at the same time, make sure that old trades are preserved and practised.

In the last 10 years, 1,700 new jobs have been created. This number will grow with the planned investment of Lm825,000 budgeted this year especially for the Gozitan industry.

Gozo also benefited from the share of EU funds. Ten per cent of the EU budget for Malta must be invested in Gozo.

In the last two years, Gozitan economy grew thanks to the funds. Further growth will be enhanced with the 10 per cent of e855 million.

Investment in infrastructure, such as roads, is easing access for transportation and connectivity. These projects, a good example being the San Lawrenz bypass, will assist economic growth while rendering services to Gozitans themselves.

The health sector in Gozo is also reaping the fruits of the government’s investment. The modernisation programme of the General Hospital – a project that includes the upgrading of the operating theatre, the setting up of a new radiography unit and a new decompression chamber – will guarantee a higher quality in the service provided.

The Gozitan environment is also important for the government and this is shown with an investment of Lm2 million. The projects include the operations of the sewage treatment plant, the building of the waste transfer station and the rehabilitation of the Qortin waste dump.

The tourism sector will be boosted with the Maritime Authority investment. The project involves providing facilities for cruise liners to be able to dock in Gozo.

The government is also setting up offices in Gozo. Offices such as the public service freephone 153, work involving public sector wages and pensions, and public registry work. This means that by the end of this year, 30 Gozitan workers will be working in Gozo instead of Malta, and will be closer to home. This measure will also help these workers to reduce their expenses.

All these measures will help Gozo to develop an economy according to Gozitan needs. This will in turn ensure more opportunities for education and a better standard of living.

With the Nationalist Party in government, Maltese and Gozitans have a guarantee that everybody will benefit from the success we are reaping from our economic growth. The development and investment in Gozo will help the whole economy to gain further momentum. The EU funding together with the government’s budget is a proof of Gozo’s importance and of the Nationalist Party’s commitment towards it.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP

www.davidcasa.eu

[email protected]