New Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has responded to criticism on an interview he gave last week, saying that he does not want to see the construction of high-rise buildings in Gozo.
"Those who are bothered by the PN's new found momentum, are now inventing that I want towers in Gozo. Let me be clear, and read my lips: I do not want high rises in Gozo," he said in a video uploaded to his social media page.
In an interview last week, Borg did not rule out the possibility of having high-rise buildings being built in Gozo, a statement that was met with criticism from the Labour camp.
In a post on Facebook on Monday, Borg stated that he does not want to see any towers in Gozo and that his proposal is to introduce a skyline policy would ensure that this scenario does not come to life.
"I don't want to see towers in Gozo," PN leader Borg said, "What I proposed, actually, ensures for that not to happen."
Borg said that in his view, a skyline policy would ensure that proposed future developments do not clash with the characteristics of the Maltese and Gozitan landscape and that a typical village and its set heights "must be respected and safeguarded".
Borg noted that he understands Gozo's issues very well, and urged Prime Minister Robert Abela to "put aside his panic on the PN and truly put Gozo on the agenda."
PN leader Borg urged the Prime Minister travel to Gozo on the Nikolaos Gozo Channel ship, or as Borg referred to as "the monument of abandonment for Gozitans." He said that once he sets foot on Gozo, the Prime Minister would "soon realise that the €700 million [to upgrade Malta's road network] never touched Gozitan roads."
Mentioning other "basic problems of Gozo," Borg recalled the unfinished museum in Rabat and the Gozo General Hospital, which serves as a reminder that none of the €400 million from the Vitals-Steward deal was ever used to construct a new hospital as initially promised.
Borg said that the Prime Minister can ask local Gozitans on their "lacking basic health services that makes them travel to Malta."
Borg also remarked that presently, there are no towers in Gozo. He concluded by appealing for the Nationalist Party's critics to stop with their political spins and to work towards what Gozo truly needs.
In reply, the Labour Party said Borg was forced to withdraw his first proposal on his own after public pressure.
The lack of towers in Gozo has always been a matter of common sense. 10 years ago Labour Government has never taken it into consideration when implementing a reform, the PL said.
"Except for the Leader of the Opposition four days ago, no one ever thought about it," it added.
"We need to know who is in charge of the Nationalist Party. Is it the Nationalist Party or is it led by what is being shared on social media? Who is pulling Alex Borg's strings?"