Fuel prices rise from tomorrow

A.Borg

Jun 24th 2008, 19:30

I understand perfectly well that , due to high oil prices we cannot have same price forever.........but............when Dr A.SANT argued about HEDGING agreements many intellectual Maltese citizens LAUGHED!! Did you know that
1)British Airways is hedging till next September currently buying at $82
2)Ryan Air is also on hedging at $63 till November
Are they also mad, MAY I ASK OR OUTDATED?
PLEASE SOMEBODY TELL ME IF I AM NOT CORRECT!!

Gervais Marcel Cishahayo

Jun 23rd 2008, 21:01

It is obvious that the rise of fuel prices would be the most talked about topics given the spillover effects that it has on all aspects of our lives.
It is also understandable that such arise is unpopular with the consumers and an omen for those in the oil and oil products business. What is hard to understand is how many of us think that the price of oil barrel can go up five folds from 20$ (2002) to over 100$ (2008) and Gonzi or whoelse ever is responsible for it!
Until the country hits its own oil (???) our economy and our lives will continue to be tributary of oil prices fluctuations on the world market... lets hope the current oil buble will burst sooner than later!!!
Gervais Marcel Cishahayo
Geophysicist

JOHN SCERRI

Jun 23rd 2008, 18:45

'Enemalta also pointed out that the new petrol and diesel prices in Malta were still among the lowest in Europe"

So are our wages !!

Enemalta please Don't make this issue more frustrating than it already is with such comments . Don't insult our minds please.

A.Gauci unnngham

Jun 23rd 2008, 17:23

The governemt needs to see to it that the tax bands are widened in the next budget........but thats only for the short term...the prices of oil aren't going to wait for the government to discuss endlessly any possibilities of alternative energy ( something which should have started long ago!!) ....the next Budget should give a clear direction and an immediate injection of energy for the discussion on Windmills and other energy saving policies as soon as possible.......and please lets not spend a whole decade discussing.....lets discuss, agree/disagree and get moving with it!!

....................for the benefit of the short term and as a sign of goowill is it possible for the Minister to launch the "energy saving bulbs" initiative at the same day the surcharge increase is announced??...........not only does it soften the unfortunate and inevitable blow but it will also send the right message to those who want to save

............for the usual Gonzibashing elves -----what is JM proposing? Halving the surcharge and living in Never Never Land where the price of Oil Never goes up? If he has a siutable alternative pls release it so we'll all know what we're missing when stupid us voted for GonziPN!! ....

Angelo Desira

Jun 23rd 2008, 15:56

After the shock fuel prices announced on Sunday,The government has now to take action to revise again the duty on fuel.This has a direct impact on inflation and on the economy because it is effected to everyone. In these days of explosive fuel prices it does not make more sense that from 20 euros of fuel a 9.50 euros is a duty contribution.This duty must be reduced by half,so as from 20 euros a 4.75 euros will be duty contribution.

Mark M

Jun 23rd 2008, 15:18

I really liked this comment "Enemalta also pointed out that the new petrol and diesel prices in Malta were still among the lowest in Europe"

What about the quality of the fuel, is it also the lowest in Europe...??

Joe Galea

Jun 23rd 2008, 14:10

@E Azzopardi: In theory what you have proposed is right, but in practice even if every Maltese learns to save on energy, the government will still raise the prices next year to make up. Why don't the governmen lower the taxes imposed on the fuel and tries to keep the price stable by balancing out?

p scerri

Jun 23rd 2008, 14:09

Some people are excusing the government....

So with this excuse are you all saying that me must keep our mouth shut and open it just to say thanks for having less money in my pocket??

We have to do something and show that we have a say in this small country.

This is the real casse where Flimkien kollox possibli.... show that we do not agree with what is not fair on us all together

It does not depends what colour we are. we have the same amount of taxes.... if those that voted pn do not wish to pay the taxes themselves for us

E. Azzopardi

Jun 23rd 2008, 13:18

I suppose another government would have decreased all fuel prices whilst the international prices are going up!!! I do not like these price increases but let us keep our feet to the ground. We grumble, but then you see many of us, with stationary cars running for minutes on end, not keeping their cars in good working order supposedly to save on service, showing off etc etc. These all contribute to the price increases as we are not taking care of energy as we think it is is unlimited. So yes, we are getting what we deserve and in this one the government is not to be blamed. At least this is guaranteed until the end of this year. And do not be wasteful as next year we will pay more. However, I am convinced many will not listen and next year they will be grumbling again and of course paying more.

d.axisa

Jun 23rd 2008, 12:19

Come the coming weekend...we will hear the next time bomb exploding....higher surcharge, higher water and electricity tariffs.....but my friends less money in our pockets to spend.

John cassar

Jun 23rd 2008, 10:26

Democracy and capitalism at work! Would socialism provide anything different? A government collects tax from the masses and is meant to look after the masses. Who said that there must always be a profit? A country is judged on how good is the public education, transport and health services. Where is Malta?

j,laus

Jun 23rd 2008, 10:03

Those who came from abroad to cast their vote in the march election, are not going to pay for these taxex and a lot to come in the future by these so called Flimkien kollox possibblli Govt, so those of you who voted for the pn ,are you realising this or you are like that angel behind the statue with the nail in his bottom but still happy and laughiing, by the way Joseph you are there as leader of opposition not of calloboration.your duty is to do what the pn did in 1996/98,you know what?

Joe Galea

Jun 23rd 2008, 08:51

Oh, I am really touched by the savings made by Enemalta telling us that we have lower prices than the international ones!!. But I ask will our salaries rise according to International ones? What about the next rise in water & electricity and their surcharge?
What about the bad state of roads? What about improving drastically the Public Transport making it comparable to international levels?
PN is swimming in its own s**t as they never thought to win the elections again. Now that they are faced with their own bad decisions, they are once more punishing us for their mismanagement..where are the "Finanzi fis-Sod?"

JOHN SCERRI

Jun 23rd 2008, 07:15

To Dr. Gonzi and Minister Tonio Fenech :- How about getting a move on and amend those tax bands and Income tax rates ASAP ? After all you promised to do so .

If the crude oil prices are beyond your control the income tax and tax bands ARE under your control so let's get it moving please.

After the 30th June the price freeze will expire so we shall experience another block buster inflation.

Why on earth do things have to take so long when it comes to increasing consumer purchasing power . If this does not happen soon all will suffer - ALL THE ECONOMY !!

carmelo briffa

Jun 23rd 2008, 06:28

What is wrong that I individual see that the Maltese people do nothing but (gemgem) how about a nice demonstration objecting the fact that our Maltese pension is so low that one is being forced to stay home. Again where are the Unions now???.How nice to be as a member of the EU..??. Less wages by 50% from other EU members and everything higher in prices like cars, fruit, etc.etc. Pls. Maltese respect yourself and fight for your rights. Is the only way for survival......

R Zammit

Jun 23rd 2008, 01:08

WOW that's it guys, how typical Maltese, grumble , grumble moan and grumble but when it comes to doing anything about it nothings happens , no one has the courage to organize demonstrations and go out to complain in the streets and get the government to change ideas ! No one would dare do anything of the sort here, not like Italy or Germany or France , no with gonzipn we're in good hands .... or were till the 8th march , now we're in arrogant hands only and we're expected to do what we've always done , be good, complain and do nothing !!!

Hubert Contandino

Jun 23rd 2008, 00:50

All governments around the world should enter into an agreement to raise fuel for vehicle prices by 20%-35% and use the money to combat global warming.

Marco Cremona

Jun 23rd 2008, 00:48

I cannot blame Government/Enemalta for the increase in fuel prices. I can however blame government for:

- encouraging a car culture - while letting the public transport system rot (Of course, there was no incentive to improve the public transport system as long as the registration tax and (some) excise duty on fuel kept pumping money into government coffers. Now we have more cars than we really need but cannot afford to drive them. And where is the country's transport policy anyway?

- poor water management that has resulted in more than 60% of our potable water from fuel-hungry desalination. People building houses today had better think twice before opting for a garage rather than a rainwater cistern. Where is the country's water policy?

- Few people know that as from 1 Jan 2007, all new buildings should be energy efficient by law. The reason for this ignorance is that this law is not enforced. We are demolishing old energ-efficient to build 'shells' which come with huge cooling/heating bills . Yes I blame government for this lack in education and enfocement of sensible laws.

Government must have the courage to admit its failure in providing responsible governance.

Martin Camilleri

Jun 23rd 2008, 00:11

flimkien kollox possibbli - is this the rest of mind? PN never changes. Before the election they knew the oil crisis and still they weghdu genna fl-art. So please no excuses. PN Government = arrogance + arrogance + arrogance

jihn borg

Jun 22nd 2008, 22:50

The people will surely feel the increase in fuel charges, but ministers will not for they neither pay for their car fuel nor for electricity and water! Neither the friends of friends will feel the nrease for they have already been placed on boards where they get some 3,000 euros a year for meeting about 12 times a year! If gonzipn thinks that he's going to guarantee his 1,500 majority he's got it wrong. Gonzipn has already lost mine nd my family's votes!

L Galea

Jun 22nd 2008, 22:32

Why don't we have the international wages together with the international price so as to compare the % costs of every litre of fuel to the wages?

And how about listing the amount of tax, including VAT and the % of VAT that the EU gets from the prices that we pay for fuel, water and electricity?

Let's have this information which is after all our right since WE are paying.

cutajar lee

Jun 22nd 2008, 22:13

oh...thanks for the info...i will ask for a raise in my wage tomorrow morning..... !!

D. Zahra

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:57

I will dare and ask the question to enemalta:- how are the prices compared to our wages? please stop comparing us with other eu countries. When we start getting their wages and their standards then yes compare prices. And i agree with the introduction of the LPG option.

A Grech

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:33

Ladies and gentlemen, after digesting the fuel price increase, be prepared for the surcharge in the electricity bills, coming soon to your mailbox.

Tonio Fenech plans to get as much money as he can to soften the blow on the government coffers. In the meantime he's going to starve quite a few people. Keep it up Tonio, together with your boss, Lawrence Gonzi, you're going to be considered as the saviour of our country.

J.Tonna

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:21

Can anyone, out there, explain to us how can the government buys oil at, say 100 Euros and sells it to us at 100 Euros, without increasing our taxes? At least like that 'the polluter pays'. The more you use the more you pay. I am not, here, advocating for the gov but trying to be realistic. JT

Joseph R Aquilina

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:08

This level of pricing, and even higher, has been on the horizon for some time now. It is not a surprise. The forward buying rate must be a very good one indeed. That said this level of fuel increases will handicap many buisnesses, and have a spiral effect on the cost of living. Many other countries have introduced LPG gas as a cheap optional and alternative fuel for petrol engined motor vehicles. No mention of this has heard in Malta . Could EneMalta and/or government enlighten us with regard to the possibility of introduciing this fuel. ADT and public transport owners should see the present situation as a terrific market opportunity for them, if only they were not so attached to their existing way of working

A Daley

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:02

Where are the salaries similar to the ones in Germany?

This is not my question but it is what EFA used to ask Labour in 1987.

In them days our wages were 50% of the ones in Europe. EFA used to say - Il-pagi fl'Ewropa huma d-doppju ta' Malta - unquote. Ooops, now they are 34% of those in western Europe.
To the ones who have some kind of consolation by what Enemalta just hinted. Just wait for the coming budget, and you will surely have the shock of your lives.

Min tnellah b'min?

By the way, don't forget the biblical sum of 3,250,000,000 Euros in National Debt, (which is ours Debt) for which we are paying the magnificent sum of 232,000,000 Euros a year, EVERY YEAR. But then again we have some hypocrites saying that we are paying too much subsidy to the Dry-docks.

Min tnellah b'min? That is the question! Labour’s consolation is, that PN inherited their own financial disasters. Halleluliahhh!

D Zammit

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:49

@ Mr Seychell

Of course the government can't be blamed for the increase of oil prices but may be he can be blamed for not doing anything re alternative energy sources? Well most top officials have fuel paid by our taxes so its not a problem if fuel prices go up. I'm all right... (forgot how it ends :))

Sean Meli

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:38

I think it's time for a revision of how the public transport operates around Malta and especially for University students. I'm saying this because for some students the rates of fuel always rising is being a hardship for them to cope with the situation. Another for this budget is that to be given a compensation for this rising in fuel especially for those who work part-time without any adjustments of COLA.

sean

Jeffrey Falzon

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:34

So we're getting the increase in one suffocating dose instead of in small doses! I shudder to think about the expected imminent increase in water and electricity tariffs and the surcharge. I wouldn't be at all surprised if GonziPN give the Maltese another big dose to last them until December.

Geoffrey Mifsud

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:12

The Goverment has little control over this situation. Would all have been nice if we pump the black stuff like our neighbouring countries but it seems that Malta's fate is that of being surrouded by it, but not to have any in our territory!

The only black we are able to attract right now is of another substance, but let's skip that before i am accused of racism!

what the Government can do however to control the situation is to further improve the public transport. The system is still too centrally managed to make working people opt for it instead of a private vehicle. Just try making it to Mosta at 9 am from for example Marsascala. It means catching the 6 am bus!!

Only by improving the public transport and decentralising it can we remedy to the current situation. The people need a workable solution, increasing fuel prices is no the solution, there is just no alternative to that...but we expect more from a Government that has done so much for Malta in the last 20 odd years! is it possible that we cant have a better public transport?

James Sultana

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:06

And when you are paying for the fuel, keep in mind that out of every €20 euros you fork out, only €10 (actually a few cents less) is actually going for fuel. The rest is excise duty and VAT going straight to the goverment. .... so do you expect that in this situation of "easy money" the government will really push for energy-saving methods !?!

Malcolm Seychell

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:56

@robert Borg

It’s a pity we don't have Sant as Prime Minister. He wanted us to believe that Oil prices will go up, when it was obvious that they will go up. The government cannot be blamed for the increase in oil prices.

He can be blamed for anything else but surely not on this one

What he can do is to reduce taxes that he receives from the Oil consumption. The higher the prices, the more tax the government is receiving.

I think the government at least should take this burden of consumers

J.Aquilina

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:56

Enemalta also pointed out that the new petrol and diesel prices in Malta were still among the lowest in Europe, but i continue that also our wages are low in malta.

Roderick Farrugis

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:51

Yeh indeed less prices form europe. But what about the wages here even lower than europe and still prices soaring up. What a gimmick this country is becoming. Nahseb ahjar namlu bhal antik u nibdew nemigraw jiena ax mil got tagen ghal gol forn issa dehlin. Viva iz zieda !!!

D.Axisa

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:24

That's the small bomb....which has exploded. Now we will wait for the bigger one........electricity and water tariffs and surcharge. Some bird was spreading the word as to 82% surcharge. But at least we know it, no change in prices till end of year......

Robert Borg

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:19

Flimkien kollox possibli.... indeed!!!!