Gozo minister Anton Refalo said today that he looked forward to the day when fares on the Gozo Channel ferries would be the same for the Maltese and Gozitans during weekends.

Replying to parliamentary questions, Dr Refalo said the government had inherited serious financial problems at Gozo Channel but it was successfully addressing them.

The management was insisting that spending projections were not exceeded, and efforts were being made to clamp down on excessive overtime and sick leave, among other measures.

Once the company was brought on financial even keel, Dr Refalo said he looked forward to the day being the same fares would apply for Maltese and Gozitans on weekends, encouraging more Maltese to cross to Gozo.