Sant insists on utilities surcharge explanation

Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday challenged the government to provide a clear explanation as to how it had arrived at a surcharge of 17 per cent on utility bills.

Speaking during a party activity at the Labour Party headquarters in Hamrun, Dr Sant said that the surcharge was being imposed to make good the losses incurred by Enemalta since 1999.

He recalled that last August, the Prime Minister had stated that the government was prepared to absorb the hike in the price of oil but then changed his tune saying there would be a rise in the cost of electricity.

But according to the budget there will be an additional charge on both water and electricity.

Dr Sant said that the price of crude oil is lower than what it was in August when the Prime Minister had said the government was prepared to absorb the rise in price. The price of crude today is at the same level it was in May, Dr Sant added.