Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia said today that he is glad to see that the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) will soon be removed and replaced with a new residency plan, as he says he has been critical of the programme for the past five years.
“When this government wanted to sell citizenship, I had written in a number of newspapers about how such a scheme will damage Malta, and that this is not the right investment our country needs,” Delia said when interviewed by NET News journalist Francesco Catania
On Friday afternoon it was announced that the IIP scheme will be terminated as of September, and it will be replaced by a residency programme that can lead to citizenship.
“For the past years I have been critical about this scheme and now it is good to see that the government is finally listening to the advice of the Nationalist Party,” said Delia.
Delia also remarked on the comment Prime Minister Robert Abela made on the Moneyval report. “Our Prime Minister said that we will pass the Moneyval report with flying colours, and I hope so too, as we are trying our best to ensure that we pass this very important test.”
He also highlighted about the importance of improving the bad reputation Malta has developed due to the government’s corruption links. “We wish to grow stronger as a country and to have clean investment to create new opportunities for people. We have so many sectors which we can advance in as a country, (such as) digital, gaming and creation sectors,” said Delia. He recalled how when he used to travel for work and mention that he is Maltese many people would speak to him about the latest works in Malta and ask him how Malta excelled in certain sectors. “Now you go abroad, and people link Malta with corruption and dirty politics.”
He said that the Nationalist Party always believed in Malta, and that he believes the party will continue to invest in the country to provide a good name to the Maltese and Gozitans and work to have a clean government.
Delia also commented about the Vitals Hospital Deals, as he continues to push for answers as to why Prime Minister Robert Abela still has not done anything about the deal. “This company, which had no experience at in the medical field, has the responsibility of three of our hospitals, and as we continue to pay them, they give us nothing back.”
Delia said that Abela was part of the contract, as back then, he was the consultant of Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat when it was signed. “The honeymoon period is over, and Abela keeps telling us that they will investigate into the deal, but what more is there to investigate?,” asked Delia.
In the past few weeks the Nationalist Party has revised its statue, and Delia highlighted that the party has a clear direction, which is to be there for the people and to serve common good.
“We emphasise that everyone has a responsibility to play, myself and the party are doing all they can and putting in all their effort, but is every citizen doing their part? Are people following what is happening? Are we encouraging one another to be active, especially our youths? Or are we completely disinterested in our surroundings?” He said that the party has invested in numerous committees to discuss and evaluate the party’s policy, which will later be part of the changes to the Party’s electoral manifesto which will be presented later on.