UPDATED: PN hits out at Opposition 'no' vote on gas plant
The gas bottling plant at Qajjenza, Birzebbuga.
(Adds MLP reaction)
The Nationalist Party has attacked the Opposition's decision to vote against a motion for the transfer of land for the building of a new gas bottling plant at Benghajsa. The vote was taken in Parliament yesterday.
The motion opens the way for the gas bottling plant to be moved from Qajjenza in Birzebbuga, which is a residential area.
Thanks to the government's decision, this part of Birzebbugia will be rehabilitated and embellished, with plans also providing for a promenade, the PN said.
It was regrettable, the party added, that Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, in his first vote in the House, had voted against a measure which would mean a better environment for residents of Qajjenza.
Furthermore, the MLP had shown how it had remained consistent with its old policy of opposing every privatisation and liberalisation exercise.
The Labour Party in a reaction to the PN statement, said it could not back the privatisation of the Enemalta gas division because the Nationalist government had not taken measures to protect consumers.
As confirmed by the Finance Minister in Parliament, the price of bottled gas was set to rise, but the government did not know what the new price would be. While the government was saying it would help those in need, it had not said how.
The MLP said it had always been clear that it backed the closure of the Qajjenza plant, which the government had been promising since 1994.
But it could not approve an agreement where consumers’ interests were not safeguarded.
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27 Comments
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Noel Cutajar
Oct 24th 2008, 06:39
Apart from what has been written here in that the main concern is whether the MLP should have voted for the Bill...this move will cost the consumer 14 Euro more per gas tank. So, if PN supporters are happy about this BILL then yes you have something to celebrate about...the rest can stand up and feel that they are working for nothing...living to pay the bills. I am still waiting for the Messiah to arrive since 2004 but as yet to no avail.
Andrew Cumbo
Oct 24th 2008, 02:22
This is a confusing statement from P.N.
Labour disapproval, is not for the dismantling of Qajjenza gas plant, but for the high price that is going to be charged for gas. From the very beginning, this was the peak of the argument. As from last Friday in Xarabank program Dr. Lawrence Gonzi was speechless when asked by Dr. Joseph Muscat, how much is going to cost a new bottle of gas? And to deny, the cost price of €13 to €14 per gas bottle, when the new company takes over the new gas plant.
It is unfair to say, that Labour is against the refurbishment and development of this area. When same Birzebbugia local council in Labour majority, has been for the last years, urging that with more funds, he will link this area with same works carried out in Birzebbugia promenade.
fredmallia
Oct 23rd 2008, 23:11
it is clear that gonzipn+gatto are moving from government monopoly to private monopoly! it will be one (reepeat) only one campany that imports, bottles and sells lp gas to the local consumers! where is to completion? who is behind the company??????? what protection is to be given to the consumers (to the Maltese nation) -NOTHING-
Joseph Agius
Oct 23rd 2008, 22:34
It is moments like these that us bloggers thank God that He heard the people's prayers for not lumping us with an MLP government.
James Borg
Oct 23rd 2008, 22:15
Some ppl that write in these blogs most probably do not live in Malta. Those that find some uncontrollable urge to always blame it on MLP most probably are either well off or else they are not part of this society which is being battered by this very socially minded government. So what will these ppl say when this company, for whom al giehna, government is providing the land, starts billing us at a higher rate? Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex?
jesmond zammit
Oct 23rd 2008, 21:53
well done joseph
Joe Vella
Oct 23rd 2008, 20:47
The Hypocrosy of Joseph Muscat and the MLP is coming out loud and clear everyday.
The new slogan adopted by Joseph Muscat and the MLP is " DO AS I SAY, BUT NOT AS I DO'
Double standard indeed.
Joe Vella
Oct 23rd 2008, 20:41
Joseph Muscat made it clear on Xarabank that the MLP will be voting against the bill because the Government couldn't guarantee that gas prices would no go up.
Can Joseph Muscat or anyone guarantee me that I would not die.
ALBERT FENECH
Oct 23rd 2008, 19:53
More Government lies and hypocrisy. The more desperate it gets, the greater this Government's lies become. Is the Opposition against embellishing the B'buga/Qajjeza locality? Is it against privitisation? Or is it against lack of consumer protection in the Bill that will bring about an astronomic rise in the cost of cylinder gas? It beggars belief that this Government thinks that the electorate is so incredibly stupid that it will fall for this smelly bait.
Joseph Agius
Oct 23rd 2008, 19:49
the least we expect from Dr Muscat is that he agrees with what he agrees. I do not expect him to agree with whatever the government does but at least he would agree with what he agrees!!
yep I also agree that some things never change....and unfortunately MLP is one of those things!
D.Caruana
Oct 23rd 2008, 19:03
Sorry I agree with MLP even in Benghajsa there are poeple that live there and there is tal-papa too very near Benghajsa.
Why does not the Government but these gas plant somewhere in the North not everything in the South.
J Martinelli
Oct 23rd 2008, 19:02
As usual, either the governmet agrees with the Opposition, or the Opposition votes against. Is there something wrong with this picture!? Should it not, if any, be the other way around?
The only reason they voted against the bill has nothing to do with protecting the public. Protect against what? Price increases? Safety?
It boils down to either we let them play with their own rules or they spoil the game. The MLP has yet to prove that it acts for the benefit of the country not for the benefit ofobtaining a few more votes. They still have not learned from being inflexible as they were when they were made to flee from governing by their own guru ten years ago.
This transfer of land was done in a transparent manner unlike deals made a few decades ago. So, the MLP supports the relocation of the gas plant but does not like the way it was done! Why? Because it was not done their way with a tbazwira here and a tbazwira there?
Mr. Buttigieg can spew all the challenges he wants but he has become as credible as the party he (sort of) supports.
Paul Muscat
Oct 23rd 2008, 18:46
Whilst the rest of the world have realised that "strategic" companies are better places in the hands of the people's representatives,- vide banks everywhere, port and logistics companies in the US, airports in Britain- in Malta we do the Johnny come lately bit, and continue doing, what others have renegated . However, even if both party's voted and wanted the gas plant to re-allocate- objective people find it strange that privatisation in Malta comes with privileges attached. Why should a private company be given public land, when this was not included in the original tender? It is not fair for the other companies. And, what sort of privatisation is this, when only the profits are privatised, whilst the major assets of the gas company, in this case the PUBLIC land is given for free for 37 years? ENE Malta was a monopoly but it subsidised as a recompense! Now, we are going to have a private ( nothing wrong) monopoly ( extremely wrong) with no subsidies ! Maltese of all colours need to have their eyes wide open !
Anthony Grech
Oct 23rd 2008, 18:20
According to Gonzipn the Opposition made a big SIN in voting against the Government on this matter. But what about the Opposition's NO to the 'Hnizrija' of Water and Electricity charges that the PN wants.
Liam Kelly
Oct 23rd 2008, 18:20
It beggers the question why us residents of qajjenza as well as b'bugia continue to vote labour when they see that nothing ever gets done to address local issues; local council fails to address littering problem, filthy polluted beaches, shambolic road building excercises and so on and so on
Finally something positive gets done to improve our environment and the labour party opposes it; that tells all you need to know about how interested the labour party is in the south of the island.
People may point to the fact that the gas plant was there well before the residential area was builtl but the fact of the matter is that the houses are there and thus creates a unsafe situation therefore something needs to be done.
Charles J Buttigieg
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:51
@ All.
Can anybody in their right sense imagine a newly appointed progressive Party Leader voteing against a parliamentary Bill to remove a ‘big pain in the back’ away from the people of Birzebbugia more so when that town is a Labour stronghold? Anybody believing that would believe anything.
Labour wants the removal of the plant and rehabilitation of the area, that is official, I challenge Dr Laurence Gonzi to deny that and if he does I will call him a blatant liar and also challenge him to sue me for defamation of character.
MPs do not have the luxury of picking and choosing items and vote in favour of a clause and against another.
The Bill as presented does not adequately protect the consumer; moreover the opposition is against the way the transfer business is being conducted so they had to vote against the bill.
j smith
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:36
In my opinion both parties have to show goodwill. I feel that both the Honourable Prime Minister Dr Gonzi and the Honourable Dr Muscat can show the people that matters of importance to our beloved Malta are solved together professionally and not like village feasts.
May God help our beloved Malta. I wish you all best regards.
James Hamilton
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:25
I would have thought that the Hal-Far industrial zone would have been the best place to relocate the gas plant, thereby keeping all industry in one area.
And if I had any say in the matter I would also recommend that the recycling plant should be relocated there as well.
Charles J Buttigieg
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:19
@Charles Micallef
Charles I am not from the Labour Party but I checked it out for you with CNL at Hamrun. I’d imagine the bill would be explained better by them.
The opposition is in agreement to transfer the plant away from Birzebbugia, the objection was for the lack of consumer protection within the framework of the bill. Members of our Parliament can only vote yes or no to the whole bill.
Tony Borg
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:10
Oh my God!!! What a tragedy!!! Does the opposition have to agree with whatever the government says and does? With such a statement I think that we are living in a dictatorship.
While we are at it....why don't we lock the parliament and throw the keys away?
For the PN anything will do to alienate people from the real problems of this country.
g.c.forte
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:09
@ Charles Micallef......it is very simple, because the P.N. must realize that now there is only one seat between the two parties, and the M.L.P. must be respected, and not " romblu fuq kullhadd" and that will be good for you too,if you believe in democracy.
N Attard
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:09
"Thanks to the government's decision, this part of Birzebbugia will be rehabilitated and embellished, with plans also providing for a promenade, the PN said."-
A very positive message for us Qajjenza residents.
Thanks PN. We just hope that you stick to this statement and this plan is implemented any time soon. A promenade from Qajjenza to San Lucjan tower will link BBugia to M'xlokk in a very fashionable manner. At present the area is in a disgraceful state with people dumping and littering all the way across the pot-holed hill. By the way, any chance for at least a cheap coat of tarmac?
P.Schembri
Oct 23rd 2008, 17:04
Do you expect that the Opposition will agree with everything the Government proposes? If that is what you think, what id the opposition there for? Did it consult the Opposition before proposing the transfer? Or just went ahead as it's doing with the water & Electricity tariffs? Where is the consultation with the Opposition promised by the Government? So please think and look back before you even utter a word against the Opposition. Labour already stated that when it's in the national interest it's four square behind the Government.
S Micallef
Oct 23rd 2008, 16:32
It is incredible that once again the Opposition is saying no!!!
It is more incredible to read this article by the new Opposition leader himself, Dr Joseph Muscat.
http://www.josephmuscat.com/pages/pgaug07/article_t.asp?id=1997
The last paragraph says it all. It’s incredible!!!! He says one way, and he acts the opposite!
Angelo Micallef
Oct 23rd 2008, 16:31
As advert for a particular brand of 'kunserva' used to say "some things never change". I would add "and Labour is one of them".
Maria Pace
Oct 23rd 2008, 16:24
The Opposition leader made clear the reason why the Opposition was voting aganst this measure if one watched Xarabank on Friday. He clearly said that he agrees with the transfer of land but he disagreed with the way it was being done.
Charles Micallef
Oct 23rd 2008, 16:23
Can anyone from the MLP explain why they voted against?