Malta Labour Party Leader Joseph Muscat visited Gozo yesterday, he was accompanied by the Party Spokesman for Gozo, Anton Refalo, and Family and Equality spokeswoman, Justyne Caruana.

Addressing the Gozo Football Association and other Gozitan NGO’s,the Labour Leader said that Gozo should benefit more from the country’s EU membership. Dr Muscat added that the Malta Labour Party was committed to helping the associations.

The GFA president, Alvin Grech, voiced his concern about the lack of sport facilities in Gozo when compared to Malta. He said that the association wanted to buy a piece of land near the stadium in order to turn it into training grounds for Gozitan clubs in order to improve the game in Gozo.

The Gozo Chamber of Commerce and the Gozo Tourism Association pointed out to the Labour leader that Gozo has its own specific needs and, as such, required a national plan.

The Chamber reiterated the urgent need for the Cirkewwa ferry terminal to be completed, pointing out that passengers had to wait in miserable conditions. It also referred again to the construction of an airstrip which it said would generate more employment and tourism for Gozo, adding that the expansion of the marina in Mgarr was also needed in order for Gozo to benefit from the cruise liner market.

The Gozitan NGO’s Association voiced their complaints about the excessive bureaucracy they face when organising fund raising activities. The Associations President, Antoine Vassallo, also pointed out that the Association had to pay VAT and utility bills at commercial rates.

On his part, Dr Muscat reiterated his commitment to Gozo, adding that he intended holding further such meetings in the near future.