Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543090
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 6 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS MINISTER for Environment, En- ergy and Public Cleanliness Mir- iam Dalli, and Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, to- gether with the management of Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation (WSC), met with members of the Gozo Region- al Committee (GRC) within the MCESD to discuss the extensive work being carried out in Gozo in the fields of energy, water, and drainage. During the meeting, the Gov- ernment's long-term plan for the modernisation of service infra- structure in Gozo was presented. This plan looks beyond immedi- ate needs and lays the foundations for a country that is prepared for the future. It was emphasised that this work is not merely an invest- ment in projects, but in essential services that directly affect quali- ty of life and the resilience of the Maltese Islands. Dalli stressed that this is a stra- tegic plan that ensures continu- ity and clear implementation. "We are investing consistently and in a planned manner so that our country's infrastructure can meet tomorrow's realities. Gozo is an integral part of this nation- al vision, and the projects being implemented here are designed to strengthen resilience, security, and service quality for the years to come," said Minister Dalli. Camilleri stated that this work confirms that Gozo is being giv- en the same importance as Malta in the country's national devel- opment plan. He explained that, "Investment in energy and water is crucial so that Gozitan families and businesses have better, more reliable, and more resilient ser- vices. Many of the roads we have upgraded have also been provided with new services, as is being done in Marsalforn Road, in order to re- duce inconvenience in the future." With regards to the energy sec- tor, discussions focused on two new distribution centres that will be built in Kerċem and Għajn- sielem. The latter will accommo- date a new 132kV cable that will serve as a new link between Malta and Gozo. This project will mod- ernise and diversify the electricity supply to Gozo and significantly strengthen the system's resilience, alongside extensive reinforcement works on the distribution network across the island. In the water services sector, the Water Services Corporation in- vested more than €3 million in four major projects over the past year, involving upgrades to water and drainage networks in Nadur, Sannat, and Kerċem. Investment was also made in the Ħondoq Re- verse Osmosis plant, while a new reservoir was built at Tas-Seqer to strengthen water supply to west- ern Gozo. In collaboration with the Min- istry for Gozo and local councils, further infrastructure projects were completed in various locali- ties. Work is currently underway on a number of other projects, including the route between Ra- bat and Marsalforn, network up- grades in several villages, and new investments in pumping stations and reservoirs. In the coming weeks, new works are also ex- pected to begin on various roads, as well as an €8 million project to modernise water networks using environmentally friendly meth- ods. A crucial environmental project for Gozo was also discussed dur- ing the meeting -- the upgrade of the sewage treatment plant and polishing plant at Ras il-Ħobż, with an investment of €25 million. This project will significantly en- hance environmental services on the island of Gozo. The call for tenders for this project has been published and is expected to close in the coming days. The Gozo Regional Commit- tee welcomed these plans as an important step but clearly em- phasised that Gozo has different realities from Malta, particularly due to its double insularity. The Committee confirmed that it will continue to closely monitor these plans and collaborate with nation- al authorities, while representing the interests of Gozo and its stake- holders. "It was a very important meeting because, naturally, Gozo has a growing population and therefore demand for both water and electricity is continuously in- creasing," said GRC Chairperson Michael Galea. The GRC is a committee with- in the MCESD, a member of the MCESD Council, and one of the Social Partners representing Gozo. The Ministers thanked the members of the GRC for their contribution, as well as Enemalta and the WSC for their continu- ous and professional work, while reiterating the Government's commitment to continue invest- ing substantially in Gozo so that energy and water supply becomes more stable, modern, and sustain- able. Long-term energy and water plans for Gozo discussed with the Gozo Regional Committee The Gozo Regional Committee welcomed these plans as an important step but clearly emphasised that Gozo has different realities from Malta, particularly due to its double insularity THE Gozo Philatelic Soci- ety showcase on level -1 at Il-Ħaġar museum is now changed to a display with a choice of highlights from the Juncker Collection which is housed at the GPS office for perusal by mem- bers. The selection concen- trates on covers bearing examples of the Personal Postmen's Handstamps used between the final part of the nineteenth centu- ry and the mid-twentieth, enabling the identification of the delivering postman. Specialists delve into the various routes and hand- books are published. There is no entry fee at this cultural centre in Victoria's Pjazza San Ġorġ, with normal hours of 9am to 5pm seven days a week. It will remain till 15 March. This obviously also offers an opportunity for visitors to go through other exciting temporary exhibits. Gozo Philatelic Society exhibition at Il-Hagar replaced with Juncker Collection highlights