A new Identity office has been opened in the heart of Rabat, Gozo, with the aim of further enhancing the quality and efficiency of services offered to the Gozitan public. This investment confirms the Government’s ongoing commitment to continue bringing services closer to citizens while investing in modern infrastructure that responds to people’s needs.
The inauguration was held by the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri together with the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri. The Agency began operating from this new building, which is accessible and equipped with modern facilities to respond to the growing demand for its services. In recent years, the Identity offices in Gozo have processed thousands of applications each year, ranging from identity cards to passports and residence documents issued to the Gozitan public and foreign residents.
The office will be offering essential services such as the issuance of Identity Cards, Passports, Public Registry services, as well as permits and residence documents — all under one roof. Prior to this relocation, these services were spread across different offices, and therefore this change will significantly simplify the customer experience while further improving internal coordination.
Minister Byron Camilleri, stated that this step forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to make public services more modern and accessible. He said, “Our aim as a Government is to always make services closer to the people, that citizens are always better served and without a doubt that this office will translate into a better service for the people. This investment is facilitating Identity services to Gozitans with the opening of a new office. Parallel to this work, we are also seeing that online services continue to improve. In recent years, the role and service of Identity has continued to expand and is an important one because you could say that every person in Malta needs it, and therefore I also thank all the officials for the work they carry out on a daily basis.”
Minister Clint Camilleri stated that “the Ministry for Gozo and Planning has invested concretely to fully complete all works related to the M&Es and finishes of the building with a value of approximately €350,000. These works included extensive interventions where everything was redone, including the tiles, the soffits, the air conditioning systems and the ventilation system. This investment was made so that the Identità agency has a modern, safe and functional building that suits its workers, as well as offering an appropriate and dignified environment to anyone who needs to use its services.” He added that the Ministry is also taking care of financing the lease of this building that is hosting the Identità agency.
The CEO of the Identity Agency, Dr Edric Zahra, recalled how until a few months ago all the agency’s services in Gozo were being provided from different offices in Rabat. He explained that today these same services are being provided from one central and accessible building in the heart of Rabat Gozo, a testament to the agency’s commitment to offering essential services in the most efficient manner.
Chairperson of the Identity Agency, Marlene Mizzi, said that the agency offers essential services from the beginning to the end of the lives of Maltese and Gozitan citizens. She stressed that thanks to the agency’s strategy of placing citizens at the heart of its decisions, an increasingly professional, efficient and effective service is being provided.
During the inauguration, the commitment of the Government and the agency to ensure that public services continue to develop and adapt to today’s realities was highlighted, with continuous investment in digital transformation, efficiency and quality of service, while processes continue to be simplified without weakening security controls. It was acknowledged that the progress achieved is the result of wise decisions over the years and the continuous dedication of employees, who remain committed to continuing to improve the professional service offered to the Gozitan community.
Photo: MGP-MHSE
