14 April 2007 Rating 89% No Comment  

As part of his two-day visit to Malta, the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Sigmar Gabriel, visited one of the richest ecological sites of our islands, Dwejra Bay. The Minister for Gozo Hon. Giovanna Debono together with San Lawrenz Mayor Mr. Noel Formosa and Nature Trust president Mr. Vince Attard, welcomed Minister Gabriel who was accompanied by the Hon. George Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment as well as their respective delegations. The German Delegation were given information regarding the Dwejra Life Project which was officially launched to the public through a press conference given jointly by the Ministry for Gozo, the Ministry for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Nature Trust (Malta) and the San Lawrenz Local Council in April 2004. This ambitious project, which was then described as being instrumental to reverse the degradation process, conserve the site for the benefit of the environment, provide a better tourist product as well as aid the economy of the local community, saw an investement of over €300,000. The proposal of this project was submitted to the European Union for consideration under the LIFE Third Countries by Nature Trust (Malta) in October 2002. In May 2003 the LIFE evaluation team announced that the Dwejra project had been accepted for funding under this scheme. The main partners of this project are Nature Trust (Malta) as the beneficiary together with MEPA and WWF. The two main stakeholders of this project are the Ministry for Gozo and the San Lawrenz Local Council who together with other relative stakeholders have been carrying out intensive consultation since the project's initiation. The visiting delegation were shown the Marine Conservation area which has been established in order to protect and conserve the rich marine life of this ecological site. A detailed explanation of the information panels recently posted on the site together with a general description of the projected car-park were also given. The Maltese delegation accompanied the visiting group on a short walk leading them to the historical watch Tower, situated in front of the Fungus Rock, where a temporary visitors' centre has been set up, to be given an audiovisual presentation and an overview of the project. The current stage of works include the creation of signage, the setting up of interpretation panels, the organisation of visitors' flow, printing of educational leaflets, a video and an exhibition for the centre. Whilst welcoming Minister Gabriel together with his delegation, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo commented on the collaboration between her ministry together with the Ministry of the Environment and Rural Affairs in conjunction with Nature Trust (Malta) and the San Lawrenz Local Council who were also in close consultation with all stakeholders concerned. The results obtained up to now through such dialogue and collaboration, augur well for the achievement and realisation of the targets of this ambitious project . Minister Debono, Minister Pullicino and Minister Gabriel together with Mr Attard and Mr Formosa all planted commemorative trees for the occasion. The foreign delegation was later shown around the Citadel, another prestigious Gozitan heritage site. All those present could appreciate the historical environs encircling the Gozo Cathedral and the unobstructed views extending to the edges of Gozo, Comino and Malta.