Silence is (not always) golden

The sixties brought a novel interpretation in music. The boom of new musical sounds was emerging and most of those who lived that decade vividly recall many of the then musical hits, which are still selling (competition apart!) and appeal to younger generations in our day.

Back in 1967, one of the foremost bands at that time, The Tremeloes, had released the epic track Silence is Golden, which was destined for immediate success. Today, 37 years later, the very same tune is still playing on the radio, bringing back memories of those days. Silence is Golden, but my eyes still see they sang.

I found it apt to have a loan of The Tremeloes' title track, and with all due apologies to the band, slightly modify its name, as there come instances in life, many of them gained through experience in the vibrant field of politics, when silence is not always golden.

A pulsating instance is our ports, and their operations' upcoming reform.

The Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, together with the Malta Maritime Authority, has been sounding its outlook at the issue incessantly. We have been indicating those pertinent areas, paramount for improvement, with the utmost responsibility and clarity. It has also been pointed out, and I quote from the report issued by the Ports Consultative Council that, "the ports and the port areas, port management institutions, employment systems and standards used, and the financial regime" are, upon recommendation of the same council, "to be covered in order for the government to propagate such a national ports policy".

It is at this stage essential to tip that the council was composed of all the key stakeholders operating within our ports, being among others, the Malta Maritime Authority, the Cargo Handling Co. Ltd, the Pilotage Corps, Tug Malta Ltd, the port workers, the Association of Ship Agents, Ship Suppliers and Insurance Agents respectively, also complemented by the Chamber of Commerce, FOI, GWU and UHM, all of whom have a copy of these recommendations.

We did encounter a divergence in certain opinions; we did succeed in delivering a non-consensual report; but reflecting the frame of mind of all participants I maintain that the council included the whole spectrum of interests which resulted in a myriad of opinions but with one common belief - the urgent and complex magnitude of this reform. What I do not maintain and understand is that on a matter so frail but critical to our economy, those concerned voice favourable positions in my office and elsewhere, but then when it comes to the adoption of the proposals in question, tend to refrain and sit on the fence.

Is this a case where many are keeping personal interests close at heart and embarking on a finger pointing exercise? Is it the case where a 'you are to blame more than I' attitude is being advocated? Is it the case where silence is prevailing due to an unjust and untenable private formulation of opinion that no one is partly responsible for the individual reforms to be effected, but everyone else is? Will stakeholders identified to be significant players, and therefore a primary part of the reform, be with us when this kicks off the ground?

Let me put facts to paper and describe the slow and painstaking voyage which our acquaintance (for the purpose of this article) 'the container' encounters before being delivered to the end user. Upon reaching destination Malta, our acquaintance is assisted by pilotage, tugs, mooring men, shore foremen, ship foremen, tally clerks, port workers, cargo handling, a privileged private contractor substituting the handling of cargo operator's (that is the Cargo Handling Co. Ltd) responsibility (sic!), the ship agent and, maybe finally, the truck driver.

It is only then that 'the container' reaches you... obviously more posh than its initial value as anyone encountered on the way charges him for the service. It is therefore many who, in some way or another, so gladly contribute their share to the final amount on your bill. Further surprising to that is that for the same container from the same point of departure to the same point of arrival, tariffs always seem to vary and are not consistent with one another.

Mathematical logic is there to be used: reducing tariffs does not necessarily mean lower income to the stakeholders since the desired and ultimate result of having Maltese ports more competitive when compared to others in our region, is bound to be an additional attraction to a potential increase in throughput volumes of cargo, possibly being reflected in earnings which could surpass those enjoyed at present. If we are not competitive, this mathematical logic does not make sense.

Is it possible that none of the above raised a voice questioning the reform? Malta is so famous when it comes to robust and vibrant discussions! Will the government be happily spared from this when implementing the port reform? Allow me to call upon those who are well aware of their personal interests that I have no intention of reaching a status quo but as clearly indicated will be embarking on a total restructuring exercise, called upon insistently by the many interested parties, now reigning in golden silence.

We will have to wait and see if finally... this silence breaks.

Mr Galea is Minister for Competitiveness and Communications.