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The seventeenth day of the electoral campaign
By MaltaMedia News
Feb 20, 2008 - 8:43:26 PM
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The seventeenth day of the electoral campaign saw Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi focusing on Gozo and the elderly, Opposition leader Dr Alfred Sant speaking on alternative energy and Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) discussing transport.
 While addressing Gozitan business owners at a business breakfast in Gozo, the Prime Minister said that the PN electoral programme seeks to increase employment in Gozo. He emphasized that his government will continue working to enhance the Gozitan economy, education, health, tourism and will also promote Malta and Gozo as centres for excellencies within information technology and financial services.
Gozo should also be considered as a district on its own. Meanwhile priorities for the Nationlist Party remain transport between the two islands and the environment, PM Gonzi said. Dr Lawrence Gonzi also said that Gozo will become an ecological island, eko-Ghawdex, through an investment of €300 million.
Meanwhile during a meeting with the elderly, PM Gonzi said that the government will be building a new rehabilitation centre for 280 residents in Luqa. On the other hand, the new home for the elderly in Mellieha will be opened shortly.
 While visiting Solar Systems Ltd, Opposition leader Dr Alfred Sant said that a Labour government will address the use of alternative energy with specific programmes which will be under the responsibility of the Prime Minister.
A recent EU report revealed that Malta is the least country which uses alternative energy. A Labour government will try to ensure that 10 per cent of energy is generated from alternatives sources. After 20 years of PN leadership, the government has not kept any of its promises with regards to alternative energy such as the wind farm,” Dr Sant insisted. A new Labour government will value the future of Enemalta and will invest and modernize the generation and distribution of light while educating about the advantages of such systems.
Speaking on transport, Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) promised reform, innovation and investment. Green Party leader Dr Harry Vassallo said that the question of urban mobility is a major challenge for the country which Alternattiva has chosen to prioritise in its coalition proposals.
"The first step has to be the removal of all monopolies and near monopolies in public transport”. The government is also duty bound to remove all legal difficulties for those interested in investing in private schemes for carpooling, timesharing and pay-by-use of vehicles, Dr Vassallo said. With the Greens, those who do not apply for a car license at 18 will travel free on public transport and will be entitled to hold a license to drive a low-powered motor cycle exempt from registration and road license fees. The AD will also seek to introduce resident parking schemes in the whole country and identify the most appropriate mass transit system such as an underground rail system.
For more details, including pictures and videos of the electoral campaign 2008, see MaltaMedia's special feature on the 2008 Malta General Elections.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Feb 22, 2008 - 9:06:31 AM CET
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