ElectroGas contract to be open for public scrutiny

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the contract signed between the government and ElectroGas for the construction of an LNG power plant and the supply of natural gas “will be issued soon” and open for public scrutiny, once it is signed later this week.

Muscat was speaking during a visit to Smart City where he announced the news that the complex’s occupancy had already increased to 70% - a substantial jump from 15% since government gained power in March 2013.

Muscat also said that Smart City was expected to be fully occupied by the end of year.

The Prime Minister said that there was need for a “fresh impetus” to ensure that Smart City reached its targets, with the appointment of chief executive Anthony Tabone having already achieved immediate results.

“It was clear that there needed to be renewed commitment on the part of government,” he said. “The excessive bureaucracy that existed in the past needed to be tackled.”

Muscat said that the increase in Smart City’s occupancy was a “terrific result” and it served to outline government's business strategy on a national level.

“This is a national project and not simply a private one,” he said. “Neither is it an isolated case. Whereas in the past, one business would close and another would open, we now have an economy which allows for three companies to open for every two that close.”

The degree of economic growth in the country has increased four-fold under this government,” he said. “In fact, Malta is now one of the top three countries in the EU for job creation.”

Muscat added that it was not government’s intention for Smart City to become a “gated community”, with a total of €30 million invested in open spaces such as the Laguna.