Addressing a press conference to announce Government?s plans for projects in Gozo for 2007, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo described the current year as another outstanding year for Gozo where projects of a different nature will be implemented for the benefit of the socio-economic development of the island.

Minister Debono highlighted the main projects that will be taken in hand during 2007 in the health, education, environment, economy and physical infrastructure areas.

Referring particularly to the Gozo General Hospital, Minister Debono said that the Ministry for Gozo has recently embarked on major upgrading works for the hospital Dining Room and the Male and Female General wards to continue with the Ministry?s programme to modernise the main health service provision on the island. These projects will be followed by the complete upgrading of one of the two Operating Theatres (the other was upgraded in recent years), while a new Radiology Unit will be set up including the procurement and installation of new and additional medical equipment to offer services that are, until now, unavailable at the Gozo General Hospital.

Speaking about the education sector, Minister Debono said that works are currently in progress at the Xewkija primary school to completely upgrade this school, with most of the works scheduled to be finished by end of next month. In the meantime, the Foundation for Tomorrow?s Schools has submitted an application to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) for the redevelopment of the existing boys? secondary school in Victoria and the construction of a two-storey underground car park, which is a Lm3m project spread over three years, the first phase of which should be in hand by end of this year.

Works are also in hand to upgrade the Technology Workshops at the Agius de Soldanis Girls? Junior Lyceum and Secondary school while further works are scheduled for the construction and installation of the necessary stage amenities at the Xaghra primary school. Applications have also been submitted to MEPA for the installation of lifts at the Victoria primary school, the Agius de Soldanis secondary school and the Sir Mikelang Refalo Centre for Further Studies for the benefit of increased accessibility for students with disabilities attending these schools.

Other than the infrastructural development in schools, Minister Debono said that the Ministry for Gozo will again offer more courses for the benefit of adults in Gozo. Such courses have already proved to create a strong interest with more than 600 Gozitans attending one or more of the EU co-funded courses held specifically in Gozo through 2005 and 2006.

Turning to the developments that are expected to be seen in the physical environment of the island, Minister Debono said that a number of main roads will be given attention during 2007 including Ramla Road, Xlendi Road and the road connecting the Victoria-San Lawrenz road to Ta? Pinu. The programme of asphalting of residential roads will also continue through this year.

The Dwejra rehabilitation project, involving the collaboration of MEPA, the San Lawrenz local council, Nature Trust (Malta) and the Ministry for Gozo, will also continue in 2007 while the rehabilitation of the Qortin landfill will be in hand this year through Wasteserv. The Waste Water Treatment Plant project, works on which commenced in early 2006, and the Civic Amenity Site for solid waste will also be completed this year while works for the implementation of the Sewage Master Plan will continue.

Other major embellishment projects will be taken in hand in 2007 and these include the complete upgrading of the Villa Rundle public garden in Victoria ? which is the only public garden in Gozo ? and the area, known as Zewwieqa, incorporating the yacht marina, the restaurants? area, the fishing quarters and the adjacent road in Mgarr harbour.

The Gozo Citadel is expected to have its own master plan shortly, indicating recommendations and measures to be taken for a wider restoration and management project. Funding is presently being sought from the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms. The beach at Xlendi Bay will also be reinstated once the MEPA application, filed recently by the Malta Tourism Authority, is approved.

Other projects will be completed this year including the Crafts Incubation Centre in Ghajnsielem, the new Tourism Training Facility in Qala, the Museum of Archaeology Display project, and the main arterial roads, works on which are currently underway.

Minister Debono said that the projects mentioned are only highlights of what lie ahead for Gozo this year, referring to other initiatives and projects that will materialise including, amongst others, the transfer of more public service back office operations from Malta to Gozo and the Mgarr Harbour Terminal project.

The Minister for Gozo said that all this is proof of Government?s commitment towards the well being of the island of Gozo with particular considerations kept in mind for the specificities of the island?s needs, not only in the drafting of national policies but also in the allocation of adequate funding, including Government?s decision in view of the allocation for Gozo of 10% of the European Union funds allocated to Malta on a national level for 2007-2013. Minister Debono reminded about the particular considerations shown towards Gozo by Government in the last Budget presentation, including the revision downwards of licenses for catering establishments operating in Gozo and the allocation of Lm825,000 for schemes to assist industry in Gozo.

Minister Debono said that in the coming days Government will be announcing further measures for Gozo only with the aim of boosting employment in Gozo as well as to support organisations that hold cultural events that attract more tourism for Gozo, while speaking about the measures that are already in effect through Gozo Channel Co Ltd to enhance internal tourism to Gozo.