The first phase in the Malta-Gozo fibre optic cable has been completed. Elettra, a subsidiary of Orange Marine, had won the tender, with the company represented locally by Joseph Cachia & Sons, a member of the M Demajo Group. Speaking during the launch, Elettra CEO Didier Dillard said the first main phase of the project – a survey of the best route for the project – has been completed.
The route will commence at the Xewkija industrial estate and move 3.6 kilometres to the shore at Tal-Fessej, limits of Mġarr ix-Xini. It will then proceed under water for 13 kilometres, landing at Golden Bay before terminating 4.3 kilometres away at Żebbiegħ, Mġarr.
Speaking in San Lawrenz, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said a study had highlighted the islands could not depend on one fibre optic cable.
“While [Gozo] is showing clear signs of advancement, we need to close the gap between what is offered to Gozitan youth and families and what is offered on the main island,” Dr Muscat said.
He said continuous investment would incentivise Gozitan youth to remain on the island.
“We will look back at this time as the period when Gozo reaped its best economic results,” he said.
Further investment, such as the Malta-Gozo tunnel, would help provide a major update to both countries’ infrastructure, he said.
The tunnel would act as a highway for foreign direct investment to flow towards Gozo in unprecedented levels, Dr Muscat insisted, saying it would give opportunities for Gozitans to work closer to home.
