Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543507
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS IDENTITY Malta has opened an in Victoria, Gozo, with the aim of further enhancing the quality and efficiency of servic- es offered to the Gozitan pub- lic. The agency has begun oper- ating from the new accessible and modern premises in Victo- ria, replacing services that were previously spread across differ- ent offices. In recent years, Identity Mal- ta operations in Gozo have processed thousands of appli- cations annually, ranging from ID cards and passports to res- idence documents issued to Gozitan citizens and foreign residents. The office will offer essential services including the issuance of identity cards and passports, Public Registry services, as well as residence permits and doc- umentation. The move is ex- pected to significantly simplify the customer experience and improve internal coordination, while complementing contin- ued improvements in online services. Addressing the inauguration, Home Affairs Byron Camilleri said the opening forms part of a wider strategy to make public services more modern and ac- cessible. "Our aim as a government is always to bring services closer to the people, so that citizens are served better, and there is no doubt that this office will translate into a stronger service for the public. This investment is facilitating Identity Malta's services for Gozitans through the opening of a new office. In parallel with this work, we are also seeing continued improve- ments in online services. In re- cent years the role and services of Identity Malta have contin- ued to expand and they are important because practically every person in Malta needs them, and therefore I also thank all officials for the work they carry out daily," he said. Gozo Minister Clint Camill- eri said the Ministry for Gozo and Planning invested around €350,000 to complete mechan- ical and electrical works and finishes at the building, in- cluding extensive interventions such as new tiling, ceilings, air-conditioning and ventila- tion systems. He added that the ministry is also covering the rent of the premises hosting Identity Mal- ta, describing the investment as one aimed at providing a modern, secure and functional building for staff and a digni- fied environment for clients. Identity Malta opens office in Victoria The agency has begun operating from the new accessible and modern premises in Victoria, replacing services that were previously spread across different offices CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 He warned that the structure's arcaded façade is set to be dis- mantled and moved to the rear of the site "like some theatre stage prop" so that future resi- dents can enjoy clearer sea views. He stressed the threat facing the complex is man-made rath- er than environmental, noting an appeal against the permit is still pending and insisting cam- paigners remain hopeful the de- cision can be overturned. Calleja described the building as histor- ically unique, saying it was the first British married quarters of its kind in the Commonwealth and later served as a hospital during World War I, when Mal- ta was dubbed the "Nurse of the Mediterranean." The European heritage body said the barracks represent a rare example of 19th-century British military architecture and form part of Malta's social and military story, yet now face im- minent destruction. Europa Nostra noted the bar- racks, a typical example of Brit- ish military architecture, remain a witness to Malta's military and social history, but now face im- minent destruction. The organ- isation awards €10,000 to each site on the list to aid conserva- tion efforts. The Planning Authority ap- proved the development at Fort Chambray, December 2024, in- volving the demolition and dis- mantling of 19th-century Brit- ish-era barracks. The project will include a 64-room 5-star aparthotel, 50 serviced apartments, and 105 residential units. The permit was issued after a bipartisan parliamentary committee, in- cluding both government and opposition MPs, unanimously approved an amendment to the original 2005 concession. This decision effectively allowed the long-standing concessionaire, Gozitan businessman. Michael Caruana (known as 'il-Billi'), to sell the rights to the site to a new group of inves- tors. The new consortium called BBT Gozo Fort Limited in- cludes TUM Invest, BT Group, Burmarrad Group, and the V&C Group. Din L-Art Ħelwa president Patrick Calleja warns site's threat comes not from natural disaster but from 'speculative interests' seeking private development, criticizing the planned relocation of the barracks' façade as treating heritage like a 'theatre stage prop' Din l-Art Helwa warns site faces threat from private development, not natural disaster