A Christmas tree adorned by 45 candles is providing a festive atmosphere for this Christmas season, at the Ministry for Gozo’s entrance.

This metal Christmas tree, which was executed by teachers and students during the metalworks course, at the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Arts and Crafts (GCAC) in Ghajnsielem, was exhibited during a Christmas exhibition held at the Conference Hall within the same centre around two weeks ago.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, said that this christmas tree serves as an example how to respect the environment and conserve energy, whilst still enjoying the Christmas atmosphere. She added that this should mostly be considered in light of the government’s vision of transforming Gozo into an ecological island by the year 2015.

Minister Debono mentioned other measures which were taken by her Ministry regarding better use of energy and waste management.

Amongst other things she mentioned the installation of the photovoltaic panels on the Ministry of Gozo’s roof, as well the installation of a Power Factor Corrector which decreases the consumption and leads to a more efficient use of electrical energy, at the Gozo General Hospital. She also said that a study regarding the viability of a Power Factor Corrector within the Ministry’s administrative building is currently underway.

Government employees are urged to switch off lights and airconditioners when not in the office, while it has become a normal practice to replace burnt out electricity bulbs with new energy saving ones. Another measure which helps in decreasing energy use is the printer sharing incentive.

As in past years, during this festive season, a crib exhibition is being held at the exhibition hall within the Ministry for Gozo, which will remain open until the 1st January 2009.