More drug traffickers on the loose because of Muscat – Gonzi

Joseph Muscat's failure to report suspected drug abuse to the police in 2009 may have exposed Malta's youth to the threat of drugs, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi warned at a campus event this morning.

"The fact that Muscat knew of an illegal activity taking place on one of his party's own premises, and that carries a possible life sentence, yet failed to take the necessary action, is extremely worrying," he told a gathering of University students at the opening of Gozo Week on campus.

"There may be more drug trafficker son the loose because of Joseph Muscat."

Asked directly whether he regretted having praised Tancred Tabone in the light of his statement earlier this week - in which the Prime Minister appeared to distance himself from the former Enemalta chairman, who is now facing corruption charges - Gonzi refused to comment directly on the case.

However he insisted that a comparison between how the government handled the Enemalta scandal and how Muscat handled the drug allegation will reveal the fundamental differences between the two parties.

"We take action when faced with criminal cases. Labour, on the other hand, tries to cover these things up."

Earlier, Gonzi had outlined the PN's electoral vision for Gozo. Foremost among the government's plans for improving education standards on the sister island was a proposal that would allow Gozitan students to sit for their exams in Gozo.

Gozitan students have already tasted the benefits made possible for them by Nationalists administrations, he said. Around 420 students from Gozo have graduated in the past 10 years, and a visibly proud Prime Minister added that he was personally impressed by the broad spectrum of diplomas, baccalaureates and even Masters degrees awarded, in medicine, law, science and a host of other diverse subjects.

Gozitans were also very adept at taking up scholarships offered by the government.

Acknowledging the unique problems faced by students from Gozo, Gonzi added that government was offering financial assistance of up to 1,200 per annum, spread out over three installments, to help cover additional expenses such as travel and rent for accommodation in Malta.

Gonzi also alluded to the proposal for a tunnel linking the two islands. Asked what studies have been carried to assure the logistical feasibility of this project, the prime minister confirmed that a call for tenders, issued in January for a geological review of the channel, was under way and that proposals were being evaluated.

He expressed confidence that the Gozo tunnel was theoretically possible, though more studies were needed. "Now we have to wait for the results of the geological studies, which will also give us an idea of the costs involved. On the basis of that information we will be able to calculate the economic feasibility of the project."

These costs would have to be recouped, most likely by means of a fixed toll.