Stop squandering, cut surcharge, Sant insists

Opposition Leader Alfred Sant has challenged the Prime Minister to explain why he is unwilling to cut the electricity surcharge especially as the government continues "squandering" millions of liri.

The Labour Party's proposal to slash the surcharge by 40 to 50 per cent made economic and social sense, Dr Sant told supporters during a political activity in Hamrun, yesterday.

Continuing in the same vein as his post-budget speech, Dr Sant said the government's decision to reduce the surcharge to 59.5 per cent did not reflect the downward trend in international fuel prices.

The public should not be expected to pay for the inefficiencies in the fuel sector, which, he said, amounted to up to 25 per cent of the surcharge.

He accused the government of paying Lm8 million in fees to consultants and for reports over the last two years alone. Hundreds of thousands of liri were spent on the "crazy" proposal to have a golf course in Ghajn Tuffieha.

The government will be dishing out Lm11 million on Dar Malta, in Brussels, and the Malta Tourism Authority has just spent $1 million on a publicity campaign on CNN, which it now acknowledges was a mistake.

Likewise, the MTA wasted Lm500,000 to close off most of its overseas offices, only to reopen them, while its former chairman is still being paid thousands of liri.

Dr Sant asked the Prime Minister to justify his claims that the country was moving ahead when official government statistics show the people had less money in their pockets.

He told supporters to beware of the government and its allies "especially in the English speaking press" which, he said, would do their utmost to warp Labour's message.

The Labour leader urged radio stations like RTK to be careful in the way they relayed the MLP's message and advised the heads of this station to be impartial and not expose themselves to justified criticism.

Dr Sant said the MLP held consultations with up to 3,000 individuals over the last few months and met with over 100 organisations.

"Now that the March local council elections approach and with a general election in a year and a half, the Labour Party will become stronger," he said.