The PN still believes in a permanent link between Malta and Gozo, but party leader Bernard Grech has said that it should be up to the Gozitans to decide on whether it is to be done after having had full exposure of all the necessary studies.

Grech announced several proposals for the island of Gozo, a plan which he deemed as ambitious, one that no other political party has ever presented, he said, addressing a press conference in Gozo.

Necessary studies are to be done in light of creating a permanent link between Malta and Gozo, said Grech. The PN believes in a permanent link between the islands but should however require extensive and necessary studies in terms of economic, social and environmental impacts, Grech said.

This would involve consultation with the Gozitan public as they are in the best position to give feedback, he said. Grech said that all the necessary studies must be done seriously, and not through a manner of convenience, in preparation for the permanent link between Malta and Gozo.

A promise of ensuring excellent accessibility between Malta and Gozo was also announced, which would entail the enlargement of the Mġarr port as well as the strengthening of its facilities to better the connection between the two islands, catering better to passengers as well as transportation of goods.

Two new ships would be added to the current Gozo Channel fleet to improve connection and accessibility between Malta and Gozo, one of which would be dedicated to the transportation of goods, said Grech. These would operate from the Grand Harbour which would alleviate traffic caused by large trucks carrying goods towards Mġarr, he added.

The connection between the two islands would also be strengthened with a new air link.

Grech also reiterated the PN’s pledge to start talks to rescind the government concession granted to Steward Health Care to operate, amongst others, the Gozo General Hospital.

“An immediate and clear promise the PN has pledged for the island of Gozo is the complete cease of privatization of Gozo General Hospital,” adding that it would not remain under Steward Health Care. Instead, the concession will be replaced by a capital project which will see the construction of a new 400-bed general hospital in Gozo.

“There will be large investments for cancer treatments in Gozo, to reduce Gozitan patient’s commute to Malta for treatment,” Grech said.

The PN also proposed a new MRI service in Gozo and increased resources for Gozitan outpatients clinics for better and more effective care and treatment.

Among the proposals, the building of a new MCAST campus was introduced, which will include new courses associated with the 10 economic sectors which the PN pledged will invest €1 billion in. This will give Gozitans the opportunity for training to become workers and creators for these new sectors.

A new branch dedicated to the Malta Enterprise in Gozo was proposed with a support unit to promote local and foreign direct investment in Gozo.

“I am proud of the proposals we have for Gozo, which include a plan based on several themes, where the main principles of the electoral campaign emerge throughout,” he said. Grech added that the plan is credible and feasible, contrary to that of the Labour Party, who are ‘currently trying to solve problems it itself created,’ referring specifically to the recently scrapped Marsascala yacht marina project where the government has ‘admitted that it would negatively affect people’s quality of life,’ said Grech.

Claudio Grech – who withdrew as a general election candidate on Monday – also addressed the press conference, saying that the party’s electoral manifesto, which is based on 15 pillars, was approved on Wednesday.

Grech said that he respects the decision of candidates not contesting for the forthcoming general election, adding that he believes in regeneration, making way for new faces.

 

After four new candidates – Frederick Aquilina, Christian Micallef, Mary Muscat, and Josianne Cardona Gatt – were added to the PN’s candidate list on Tuesday night, Grech did not exclude that more people would be approved as candidates in the near future.