Call for tender issued for on call Comino ferry service – Ministry

Ministry for Gozo says call for tender issued to provide Comino resident with an on call ferry service.

14 January 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

The Ministry for Gozo this evening said it has issued a call for tender for the provision of an on call ferry service from Comino to Gozo to accommodate a sick Comino resident who must travel three times a week to the Gozo General Hospital to receive dialysis treatment.

The plight of the Vella family was reported in the media following a visit which Labour leader Joseph Muscat did on the small island.

Comino resident Salvu Vella spoke of the difficulties faced by his brother Anglu who must go for dialysis treatment in Gozo three times a week.

According to Vella, they pay €150 a week to go to the Gozo hospital - a fair chunk of what is today's pension.

Reacting to the news reports, the Ministry for Gozo accused Joseph Muscat of using the Vellas' plight for political mileage.

The Ministry also said that it has already issued a call for interest to provide a ferry service to take Anglu Vella to Gozo and back.

The ministry also said that the Malta Community Chest Fund was also considering the resident's call to compensate the costs made.

"The ministry respects and treats such situations with prudence. At the same time, it is not fair that Muscat makes statements that do not reflect the truth to gain political points."

More from Staff Reporter

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Thanks to Joseph Muscat the Ministry of Gozo were caught with their pants down. Yes probably Mr Muscat went to visit the Vella family on Comino as a publicity stunt but what he discovered brought shame to the Gozo Ministry for mistreating one of their own. Shame on you Gozo Ministry and yet on the other hand if this was not brought out in the open by Joseph Muscat you would not have bothered either. Maybe the Vella Family will receive some help from the Gozo Ministry and that is overdue. Maybe Franco Debono or Mr Bondi can speak up for this unfortunate family. They have no money and maybe they can accept the case pro bono. Good luck to the Vella family and I hope help is on the way. Calleja

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The Vella family should realise that the ferry will be provided because we are so close to the election. Otherswise, the PN wouldn't give a hoot to this unique family.

Paul Sammut •

Joseph Muscat sets the pace. It's looking good.

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You see! Muscat works! Women should start using Muscat to rub off wrinkles. I heard the Queen (of Gozo) has sampled the first pot.

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Ha nghidlek,Ministry for Gozo, il-bierah mort ghal meeting f'Ghawdex u l-Ghawdxin kollha immbezzghin li ma jidhrux fil-meeting tal-PL! Vera back to the 60s! U ohra...vera l-kaz li Joseph Muscat ghamel uzu tajjeb mill-political mileage tieghu: biex jghin lil min you abandoned:..u Joseph ghamel hekk bla commission mhux bhal dak li wikkielna l-power station tal-veleni!