Alex Borg highlights undelivered Gozo projects in Parliament debate

Updated 12.36pm with Gozo Business Chamber comment

Opposition leader Alex Borg has highlighted several Gozo projects he said had been promised by the government, but that it had failed to deliver.  

Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the 2026 Budget estimates for the Gozo and Planning Ministry, Borg drew attention to a number of projects he said had not materialised.

Borg highlighted a 430-bed hospital, promised by Labour in its 2022 election manifesto, a 2019 plan to build a two-armed breakwater at Marsalforn Bay and plans to restore the Qbajjar battery and build a carnival village on the island.

The Opposition leader said government pledges to create a regional natural park, expand MCAST facilities on the island, build a multi-storey car park in Marsalforn and ensure Gozo becomes climate-neutral had also been ignored.

He described the recent acquisition of a building set to be converted into a new court building for the island as “positive, although very late,” adding that clear assurance was needed about a timeline for the site and whether it was selected following consultation.

Borg also called for the court building project to be administered with “full transparency”, while asking whether a monitoring committee including court workers would be established to provide input on the project.

Turning to the standard of living on the island, Borg described Gozo as having lost its sense of calm and having seen its quality of life deteriorate, pointing to “unbearable” traffic in Victoria and connectivity issues with an “ageing second-class vessel” used for the ferry service.

A new hospital had been promised three times, he said, while describing Gozo’s roads as being in a “disastrous” condition.

Borg said there were delays in services for children with special needs and projects in Xlendi and Marsalforn, locations he said were still waiting on a master plan.

He also mentioned the Gozo Museum project, accusing the government of dragging its feet for nine years on the project and “losing” €5 million in EU funds, while describing the Innovation Hub as being “devoid of any real vision”.

The Opposition leader called for new vessels for the Gozo ferry service, improved infrastructure in Mġarr and surrounding areas, a vision for SMEs within the Innovation Hub, a traffic management plan for Victoria and social and medical services with “genuine accessibility”.

Borg also called for a new hospital and university campus, for the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) Gozo campus to improve its profile and the establishment of a Gozo Tourism Authority.

He also called for greater environmental focus.

“The Labour Government’s policy of pitching the environment against development has failed,” said Borg, while characterising the Planning Authority as more of a “permits authority”.

A PN government would cut red tape and invest in technology and AI through the introduction of new schemes – such as rebates, tax credits, fast-tracking and green financing – to promote quality development, he said.

“Gozo cannot remain a victim of empty promises. Gozitans deserve peace of mind, a clear vision, and a government that delivers. Gozo deserves better — and a new Nationalist Government will give it what it deserves.”

'Dire situation' of Gozo ferry

In a statement later Tuesday, the Gozo Business Chamber described the Gozo Channel as being in a "dire situation", noting there seemed to be a "failure to realise the vitality of this service for the Gozitan population".

The chamber said the service had been "hindered by failure", especially in the mornings.

"The governance and management of this service need to be addressed urgently. Overall, vital time is being lost, which puts the Gozitan population at a disadvantaged position", it said.

"While considerable progress is being made at all levels, when the most vital thing of all, i.e. accessibility, is not being addressed, this progress will be lost."