Gozo will become a region under PN government, Alex Borg pledges

Gozo will be given more autonomy and become a region under a Nationalist government, leader Alex Borg pledged.

The Nationalist Party leader pledged this on Saturday in the run-up to the May 30 election, as he spoke strongly about giving Malta’s sister island more autonomy, vowing that under his government Gozo would be granted regional status, with that  enshrined in Malta’s Constitution.

"This will give Gozo the chance to tap into more EU funds. We will no longer depend on the ring-fencing of other funds. There would be a dedicated packet for Gozo due to its regional status,” Borg said.

"The best people to solve Gozo’s problems are Gozitans. Therefore, I am sure and dedicated that as a Gozitan prime minister, Gozo will be a priority,” Borg said.

Borg revealed this during a press conference held in front of Gozo’s General Hospital, where he listed the PN’s main proposals for Gozo. Borg pledged to present 110 proposals for the island - 10 more than what the Labour Party has said it will propose.

A new hospital

Borg began by adding to his string of health promises with a pledge to construct a new hospital in Gozo on the same site as the current general hospital, at a cost of €350 million.

The hospital will house 400 beds and will be a “full-fledged” facility where Gozitan patients can be treated locally, Borg said. He added that it will include a helipad for emergency cases.

Meanwhile, he also pledged that to make the Victoria health centre a 24-hour one.

Larger ports, new ferries, frequent fast ferry trips

Regarding connectivity between Malta and Gozo, Borg reiterated previous promises initially proposed when Bernard Grech was leader - to improve the infrastructure of Mġarr and Ċirkewwa ports - this time providing figures.

Mġarr port will be expanded and improved in a €7 million project, he said. This investment will also include a new car park with dedicated parking spaces for Gozitans.

Ċirkewwa port will see improvements and an expansion of its south quay, as well as a larger car park, at a cost of between €6 million and €8 million.

Borg further reiterated the PN’s plan to introduce two new Gozo Channel ferries, one of which will be dedicated to transporting cargo directly to the Grand Harbour. He promised that the cargo ferry would begin operating within his first year as prime minister and would eventually travel to the Freeport.

He also said that all ferries would be made accessible to everyone and equipped with a calming room.

The ferry Gaudos will be fitted with hoistable car decks, increasing its passenger capacity, Borg added. However, he stressed that improving port infrastructure is a priority, as otherwise five ferries would not be able to operate.

Regarding the fast ferry system, Borg promised to increase trips. During peak hours, ferries would run every 30 minutes, operate until midnight during the week, and run beyond midnight on weekends.

Fixing 150km of Gozitan roads

Whenever events are taking place, the ferry would operate as a shuttle service, he said, adding that a larger port is needed for this to work.

On Gozitan roads, Borg promised to implement a fully electric bus system, extend routes to more areas, and adjust schedules to coincide with ferry arrival times.

Another major pledge was to rebuild and repair 150 kilometres of residential and arterial roads in Gozo within five years.“

We will rebuild 150 kilometres of roads in five years. This will be done after consultation with the local councils,” he said.

The PN leader also promised to build a breakwater at Marsalforn, a pledge he said the PL had failed to deliver.

Increased student grants

Gozo will also receive more support for cultural and artistic activities, with a €9 million fund for theatres, cultural centres, and artistic spaces, Borg said. He added that there will also be a €2 million fund for youth centres in Gozo.

These spaces will be able to receive professional support free of charge from the government when applying for EU funds.

Gozitan students studying in Malta will see their grant increase to €400.

Borg also promised to invest in Gozo’s university campus and work towards hosting more conferences, academic writing events, and other activities there. The campus will also be equipped with video conferencing facilities.

Finally, Borg pledged to invest €8 million in the Special Unit for persons with disabilities in Sannat by extending the school and introducing a hydrotherapy pool.