Publish MOU on new aquatic centre in Gozo, Gozo tourism and business bodies tell government

Gabriel Schembri

The Gozo Tourism Association and the Gozo Business Chamber have insisted on the need for the publication of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the government and GNI Ltd, the company entrusted with setting up the new aquatic centre at the Gozo Sports Complex in Victoria.

The two entities were asked for their reaction on a story that was published in The Malta Independent earlier this month that revealed how the Gozo Ministry failed to give specific answers regarding a concession given to the private entrepreneur to build a hotel and apartments on public land as part of the new aquatic centre. The Malta Independent has been trying to establish the details of a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed last November between the government and GNI Ltd, a consortium created specifically by local company 240 Ltd for this project.

The signing of the agreement, which remains under wraps, followed a request for proposals to the private sector issued by the Ministry for Gozo through the Privatisation Unit to design, build, maintain and operate a sports complex.

In replies to questions from this newspaper, the Gozo Business Chamber said that it had never been consulted on the project. “The Gozo Business Chamber has never been consulted or informed about this project and therefore we cannot comment as we do not have details.”

When referring directly to the MOU, the Business Chamber said: “it should be made public if the project will be on public land.”

The Gozo Tourism Association, meanwhile, said that while supporting further investment in Gozo, the MOU should be made public so that the information that had been divulged by the media could be either confirmed or denied.

“The Gozo Tourism Associa- tion supports further investment in sports facilities in Gozo as these will be beneficial not only to the Gozitan public, but will also enhance the Gozitan tourist offering and expand it to new emerging niches such as sports and wellbeing tourism. These niches can help the tourism industry on Gozo mitigate its element of seasonality.”

The GTA said that the decision to entrust the complex, to be known as the natatorium, to the private sector will optimise and take advantage of the business opportunities presented by the educational, recreational and competitive sports sector and the growing and dynamic health services industry in Gozo.

“In this regard, as far as the Gozo Tourism Association is aware, the expression of interest in this project requires proposals to design, build, maintain and operate a natatorium complex. Therefore one has to confirm the reports in the media of expanding this project to the accommodation sector. This can be confirmed through the publication of the Memorandum of Understanding,” it added.

In its partial reply to the questions posed by this newspaper, the Gozo Ministry confirmed that the MOU had indeed been signed and that the process will now resume with work on project specifics and dynamics which will be communicated as the development proceeds.

Asked to specify if public land would be granted to a private consortium to build accommodation, the Ministry did not answer, stating simply: “The government will fulfil its electoral commitment to deliver a natatorium complex in Gozo. This project is in line with the Ministry’s plans to develop new facilities, including in the sports sector, which continue strengthening Gozo’s position as a unique destination.”

The Malta Independent proceeded with a Freedom of Information request, which was also followed up by The Times of Malta, but further clarifications have not been forthcoming. The request has now been lodged with the Commissioner of Data.