MediaToday Newspapers Latest Editions

3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 14 FEBRUARY 2025 NEWS GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In a Facebook post on Wednes- day, Alex Borg said that Gozo Channel was spending more money than had been tendered for on a property it rented on the Mgarr front for €65,129.48 yearly. Moreover , the company had awarded a tender of €769,518.34 for alternation and refurbish- ment work on the same prop- erty. But, Borg said, it now emerged that Gozo Channel had spent an additional €240,573 on works - money that never been men- tioned or accounted for before. Speaking to GozoToday, Borg confirmed that the original ex- penditure had indeed been is- sued by tender and direct orders in 2023. "But now there is this addition- al money that was definitely not part of the tender," he said. He critcised Gozo Channel for hiding the expenditure and for spending so much money reno- vating a property - only slightly larger than a large house - that was not even purchased out- right, but rented. Gozo Channel actually leased the property from A&J Hili Ta' Miema Ltd in 2019, but then - once severe structural damage was discovered after signing the lease agreement - it undertook to carry out extensive demoli- tion and reconstruction work at its own expense. "I don't know, but either the the Gozo Channel administra- tion does not know what it's doing, or else there are more things that still have to be made known," Borg said. Tying this matter to other is- sues he raised frequently, Borg said that if such information was not deemed to be 'commercially sensitive' since the figures had been published, why could Gozo Channel not also make public how much it paid and was pay- ing for the MV Nikolaos ferry. "With the PN in government, we can promise Goz Channel will not remain a political puppet without any direction," he said. Borg said the PN wanted a Gozo Channel that guaranteed a solid future for Gozitans and Maltese alike, focused on sound investment that would allow it to deliver: • Re-modernised vessels • A state-of-the-art fourth vessel showcasing clean energy • Another vessel for com- mercial vehicles to link Gozo to the south of Malta • A ferry trip schedule that makes sense founded on a solid infrastruture "The sea is the future and not an obstacle," Borg said. The PN was already on its am- bitions for Gozo to be in place to deliver its promises once in gov- ernment. "Gozo is missing a number of fundamental things and this is one of our top priorities for the island," Borg said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The remaining land, equiva- lent to three tumoli, has been transformed into a playing field, an outdoor gym, a rec- reational area with water fea- tures, and extensive landscap- ing. The project was carried out with a commitment to envi- ronmental sustainability, en- suring that no trees were re- moved. In fact, additional indigenous trees were planted to enhance the area's natural beauty and provide a more relaxing envi- ronment. During his visit, Abela, ac- companied by Ministers Clint Camilleri and Roderick Gal- des, spoke with local families who have benefited from the new recreational spaces. He reiterated the govern- ment's commitment to ful- filling its promises to Maltese and Gozitan families by de- livering projects that enhance the quality of life. Abela also spoke about the government's ongoing efforts to deliver similar initiatives that complement other re- cently completed projects. He emphasised that these de- velopments aim to allocate high-quality social housing to those in need. "Last year, 514 families were allocated social housing thanks to projects completed in various localities, including Msida, Qrendi, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi, Bormla, Ħal Kirkop, and Ħal Luqa. With this pro- ject and others set to be inau- gurated in the coming months, we will continue providing dignified housing for those in need, staying true to our com- mitment as a socially responsi- ble government," Abela said. He further noted that the completion of this project aligns with the social measures outlined in this year's Budget, which include increases in pensions and children's allow- ances. New units in Rabat will house eight families Building rented by Gozo Channel in 2019 still unused The building rented by Gozo Channel in 2019 Robert Abela met families who will benefit from the new recreational spaces

• Cover