Opposition Leader Alex Borg argued Tuesday that Gozo deserves better leadership and a clear, credible vision.

During the parliamentary debate on the 2026 Budget Estimates for the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Borg said Gozo has become a victim of empty promises and lacks the peace of mind and quality of life its people deserve. A new Nationalist government, he stated, would restore direction, transparency, and delivery.

Borg highlighted what he described as a stark contrast between politicians who speak and those who deliver. He listed several major projects repeatedly promised by the Labour government but still unrealised, including a 430-bed hospital, the Marsalforn breakwater, an expanded MCAST campus, a multi-level car park in Marsalforn, the restoration of the Qolla l-Bajda Battery, a regional natural park, the pledge for a climate-neutral Gozo, and a Carnival Village. He also referred to the long-promised new Court in Gozo.

While welcoming news that government has finally signed an agreement to purchase a building to serve as the new courthouse, Borg noted that the commitment has been pending for 13 years. He criticised the lack of mention of the project in the latest budget, saying the sudden announcement raises questions that now require clear answers, including whether the site was chosen following proper consultation and when the court will actually begin operating.

Borg insisted on full transparency regarding the new Court, urging government to publish cost estimates, allocated funds, and timelines. He proposed establishing a monitoring committee that includes workers, lawyers, and court staff to ensure the new facility meets the needs of the Gozitan community.

Turning to Gozo's broader quality-of-life issues, Borg argued that the island has lost much of the calm and character it once enjoyed. Traffic leading into Victoria has become unbearable, connectivity remains unreliable due to an ageing vessel that disproportionately affects the elderly, and the new hospital repeatedly promised by government remains only a concept. Road conditions continue to deteriorate even though Gozo benefited very little from the €700 million national road infrastructure programme.

Borg also pointed to delays in services for children with special needs and the absence of progress in Xlendi and Marsalforn, where master plans were long expected but never delivered. He cited the Gozo Museum project, where nearly a decade of stagnation resulted in the loss of €5 million in EU funds, and the lack of direction at the Innovation Hub, which was meant to serve as a base for start-ups and youth opportunities but remains without a real strategic purpose.

Borg outlined what he views as urgent needs for Gozo: new vessels and dependable connectivity supported by a serious reform of the Mġarr port; upgraded infrastructure across the island; a clear strategy for SMEs, especially in FinTech and MedTech, within the Innovation Hub; a traffic-management plan for Victoria; improved social and medical services; a new hospital with firm timelines; a university campus offering creative and sustainable courses; and an ITS institution that positions Gozo as a centre for high-quality and small-scale tourism, supported by the creation of a Gozo Tourism Authority.

Addressing planning and environmental issues, Borg argued that the current development model has collapsed. The "more and more" approach, he said, overwhelms communities and essential services. He criticised the government's attempt at planning reform, saying it was introduced without consultation or vision and then abandoned after public and NGO pressure. Instead of fostering a balance between development and the environment, he argued, government has created conflict, when Malta and Gozo need development that strengthens rather than destroys localities.

Borg called for a planning authority that focuses on genuine planning rather than simply issuing permits, with reduced bureaucracy, modern tools, and greater consistency. A Nationalist government, he said, would invest in technology and AI to increase transparency, streamline processes, and encourage quality development through incentives such as tax credits, fast-tracking, and access to green financing for those who adopt the highest environmental and design standards.