Alternattiva Demokratika has suggested it may be feasible to reintroduce the Mgarr to Sa Maison hydrofoil service or the catamaran from Gozo to Sliema and Sa Maison. Calling for better transport to and within Gozo, AD Gozo regional committee spokes-man Victor Galea yesterday said such a service would be more convenient for commuters. It would also help reduce the amount of traffic passing through the islands. "The catamaran service to Sliema and Sa Maison, as was available some years ago, would give commuters, Gozitan workers and tourists the opportunity of a fast, comfortable and scenic trip to Valletta," Mr Galea said. However, the road infrastructure and transport system in Gozo had to be up to scratch, he added. It would be useless to provide the catamaran service to Marsalforn, for example, if no buses were available to take visitors and commuters to ... Read more...

Mr Manuel Grima, chairperson of the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria and it?s council in collaboration with the Organizing Culture Committee within the Ministry for Gozo will be presenting another high level artistic exhibition at the Banca Giuratale, Victoria between 8th and 24th April 2006. The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for Gozo, Mrs Giovanna Debono. Hundreds of people are expected to visit this exhibition since the organizers thought it fit to set up this event during the peak Easter holidays. The new water colours collection has been specifically prepared by veteran maltese artist Joe Mallia, a leading authority in painting traditional scenes. ?Images of Gozo? is expected to be another feather in the cap for the Fondazzjoni directors who are always trying to find new ways in getting the public closer to the arts, ... Read more...

The USA-Malta Group (UMG) has been set up to coordinate efforts of those USA-born Maltese who have had to renounce their United States citizenship to "come back home". This was before Malta and the USA signed an agreement allowing dual citizenship. The agreement was signed during the 1990s. When this agreement was signed those who had already renounced their US citizenship were not included in the agreement. UMG feels that these people should be offered their citizenship back. On the face of it, those who opted to renounce their citizenship did so at their own free will and were not coerced to do so. The cases below depict a different scenario: * An 18 year old who had lived for the previous five to ten years in Malta with her Maltese parents. Unless this youngster renounces her US citizenship, she will not be ... Read more...

The sea will unite two, possibly three, islands instead of isolating them. This can succinctly define the spirit of a new project, approved by Regione Sicilia and financed by the EU, that was launched recently by the Port Authority of Catania and the Malta Maritime Authority. This project, "Calvago 2006", is aimed to step up maritime traffic between Sicily and Malta in an attempt to increase the traffic flow of passengers and to develop a cooperative relationship between the two port authorities; to enhance port facilities and market the development of maritime links between the ports of Valletta, Catania and Mgarr, Gozo. The project is not only aimed at developing the tourist market but is intended to maximise commercial potential and new opportunities that will be created in the process. The project will eventually develop into a wider context that will seek ... Read more...

A total of 717,569 passengers used the Gozo ferries to cross from one island to the other in the fourth quarter last year, the National Statistics Office has reported. The total represents a drop of 3,703 passengers or one per cent over the same period the year before. On the other hand, the total number of passenger vehicles carried by the ferries increased by 930 to 198,906, a rise of 0.5 per cent. In the quarter under review, 4,517 trips were made between Malta and Gozo, an increase of 253 or six per cent over the same period the year before. The Malita carried 301,950 passengers or 42.1 per cent of the total passengers in this period. The other two Gozo Channel ferries, Ta' Pinu and Gaudos carried 220,844 and 194,775 passengers respectively.

The theoretical part of the driving licence test is now also being held in Gozo. The first test was held on 6 March and will be held every other Monday. The tests are being held in the premises of the non-governmental organisation centre in Xewkija and have been provided by the Gozo Ministry. The introduction of the theoretical part of the driving test means that Gozitans will no longer be required to travel to Malta to sit for the tests. The theoretical part of the driving test comprises a computer-based driving theory test whereby the candidate has to prove knowledge of a wide range of driving topics and obtain a pass by correctly answering at least 30 out of 35 randomly chosen multiple-choice questions correctly. The second part involves a practical test of driving skills and behaviour, designed to assess whether ... Read more...

The Gozitan heritage association Wirt Ghawdex has rebutted imputations made by the Ramblers Association that it was not being transparent over its position on the proposed development at Ta' Cenc. The Ramblers Association, which opposes any development at Ta Cenc, has criticised Wirt Ghawdex for being against certain aspects of the proposed development but pronouncing itself in favour of others such as the construction of bungalows on the right-hand side of the main pathway. It also challenged the heritage organisation to publicly declare its aims and objectives and give more details such as the names of the signatories of the declaration on Ta' Cenc. However, Wirt Ghawdex said its only aim was the setting up of a heritage park in order to reverse some of the deterioration at Ta' Cenc. "Wirt Ghawdex has therefore only voiced approval for development in the already disturbed ... Read more...

As visitors to Gozo we would like to express our delight at the carnival celebrations we experienced in Victoria. We were privileged to enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment during the first night in the town centre, which featured school dance groups and floats. The amount of work that went into the costumes, dance moves, floats, etc was obvious. We have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and can honestly say we enjoyed the festivities in Victoria much more! It was heart warming to see families, schoolchildren, towns, and adult organisers all working together to make this wonderful event happen. We sat in free, assigned seating for several hours and witnessed many happy children and adults put on a great show! We did not see any evidence of alcohol, vandalism or rude behaviour. Everyone seemed to be having a great time ... Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika has called for the introduction of a shuttle bus service between Malta International Airport, Cirkewwa and Mgarr to make travelling to Gozo easier. "An essential service for all people travelling to and from Gozo from abroad would be to have a shuttle bus service from the airport to Cirkewwa and preferably to the terminal in Mgarr and/or Victoria and vice versa," Dr Harry Vassallo, AD's chairman, said yesterday. "This should include a check-in and luggage handling service." Victor Galea, AD's Gozo Regional Committee spokesman, added: "One of the advantages would be local business people and holiday-makers being able to leave their vehicles at home. This would result in a reduction in traffic and related pollution, wear and tear of the roads on both islands and even in the passengers' stress levels. "Tourists using the shuttle service would then be able ... Read more...

Work on the rebuilding of the road linking Victoria to San Lawrenz in Gozo is gaining momentum with the the new road taking its final shape. Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett yesterday visited the work in progress on the project, the first of three to be co-financed with the European Union, which are set to leave a big impact on the driving experience in Gozo. Later this year, work will begin on two other main roads, co-financed by the EU: one connecting Mgarr port to Ghajnsielem and the road to Xlendi. Mrs Debono said most of the work to widen the first phase of the San Lawrenz road is already in an advanced stage, with work currently being undertaken on the construction of walls that form the base of the road. In the coming days, the ... Read more...