PN: Gozo took a turn for the worse under Labour

Not only has Prime Minister Joseph Muscat failed to keep his word to make Gozo a better place, but under his leadership the island has taken a turn for the worse, PN secretary general Chris Said said.

“In the light of government’s shortcomings, Gozitans has to send a clear message to the Prime Minister in this Saturday's European elections, and make it clear that Gozo should not be ignored.”

In a statement issued today, Said pointed out that this was confirmed by government’s “incompetence” in negotiating with the EU and the increase in unemployment in Gozo.

Addressing a press conference in Mgarr, Gozo, Said argued that in his first 14 months in office, Muscat “totally ignored the the problem of unemployment in Gozo.”

The Gozitan MP went on to explain that under Labour, unemployment increased by 6%, adding that after raising expectations prior to last year’s elections, Muscat “failed to give direction and create jobs.”

“To deviate attention from his failings in Gozo, Muscat is being dishonest on the PN’s strong record in Gozo during its time in office, especially in obtaining in EU funds,” Said said.

Rubbishing Muscat’s claims that the PN did not do enough for Gozo, the PN secretary-general insisted that despite being original offered €56 million in EU funds, the previous PN government negotiated a better deal which was increased to €112 million in the 2014-2020 EU budget.

“This shows the PN government’s ability in negotiating on Gozo while the current Labour administration has nothing new to offer to Gozo.”

Said added that while the PN always gave utmost importance to Gozo, especially in education and health, the Labour government has reduced the Gozo minister’s powers.

Listing Labour’s failings, Said noted the Casino project which is at a standstill, the failure to conclude and publish the report on Gozo’s accessibility and the slowdown in retail sales.