Gatt not keeping his word on tariff revisions - Muscat

Anton Magro

Jan 10th 2009, 21:22

ALL YOU MALTESE CITIZENS WAKE UP.

the only solution is having a 3rd party in parliament.

IE: the government will be a coalition so it won't do what it wants.

VOTE FOR ALTERNATTIVA DEMOKRATIKA next election

V Fenech

Jan 10th 2009, 16:50

How's responsible for all these inefficiency??

In the last 20 years PN acted as if it was everything plain sailing in Enemmalta and both powerstations. We had Austin Gatt promising that his party would never transfer the powestations' burden onto the taxpayers. We also remember Lawrence Gonzi way back in 1996, when he already occupied an influential position in the NP, criticising Alfred Sant for trying to fix Enemalta's problems in those 2 years. We also remember In-Nazzjon describing sewage taxation as the major bombshell dropped onto families, workers and pensioners!

Now Gonzi is taking us back on the same journey which his predecessors in the party worked relentlessly to hide from the public eye

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jan 10th 2009, 15:18

@ Mr.Gouder and Mr.Abela-----Is it or is it not true that Enemalta has wastage reaching the figure of 27 million euros?? is it or is it not true that Gonzi has done next to nothing to reduce the waste BEFORE sending the bills??

Paying for what we consume should never be an issue but paying for inefficiencies, waste and even worse theft is unacceptable!!

Now tell me with which word from the above do you disagree

Jonathan Borg

Jan 10th 2009, 13:33

@Muscat, Pat.
I love it! The Americans had Reaganomics. Thanks to our minority government (I'll explain later) we have "freakonomics"! And for those of you who claim it takes monts for crude oil prices to work its way through to retail, yes there is a lag time (weeks, not months), but in free economies, the oil companies eat that (mainly because it is such a rare event) in order to justify immediate increases at retail when crude goes up (much more frequent, historically). As for the minority government comment, yes, we have a government which does not have the will of more than 50% of the population. Combined, the PL and AD do, though - isn't it a shame that they can't form a coalition and topple the government? Or can they? I admit that I do not know the constitution well enough to say, but it is an intriguing concept, is it not?

Michael magri

Jan 10th 2009, 11:56

The Government wisely went on to pay off the Drydocks workers the hansome sum of 135 million euro at the taxpayer's expense. Nobody paid the textile Industry workers when they were laid off but these pathetic politicians we have drained our public funds by paying off the docks with money which was not even budgeted.

The end result was an astronomic public dficit which could have avoided the 95% surcharge and this massive proportional increase in utility prices. This is the rsult of administrative inefficency and not the tranparency we were promised before last election.

The taxpayer was robbed off 135 million euro of his hard earned cash to satisfy the dockl workers and continues to be swindled in his utility bills. Our unions are trying their utmost to bring the sitation to normal levels. All except the GRTU whose chairman Mr. vince farrugia has chosen to betray his members by riding the PN float and is nowhere to be seen in all this mess. Now when his members need him most, he has chosen to betray what he was meant to stand for all these years.

Karl Borg Bartolo

Jan 9th 2009, 19:10

Yes Minister Gatt made it very clear on Il-Fosos in the last Independence celebrations that the surcharge would be drastically reduced if the price of oil goes down as it was before. The price of oil went down, but not the tariffs Sir!

P.Schembri

Jan 9th 2009, 09:13

Why not stop grumbling and do as the PN did in 1997. Protests galore! Maybe GonziPN will listen then.

Joe Galea

Jan 9th 2009, 08:06

We have looming recession pending on us and already affecting us badly as we are seeing jobs lost, reduced hours, etc. Due to the intelligent decisions done by the government to crush further the citizens and industries by sky-rocketing the utilities' prices, the licences, and more. This will be felt in the very coming days and people are already feeling the pinch. Then you come in here and read that there are (blue-eyed) some who are happy with this situation. It is unbelievable. Either they are into S&M or slaves to their GonziPN.

Furthermore, to add insult to injury, households with one tenant or two, will end up paying more than households with more tenants. The Gonzi & Co. blundered again in their calculations and with all arrogance when Prof. Scicluna presented his studies about the tariffs and how unjust they are, the Gonzi just refused to change anything.

I want to see a billboard with a tray of 'qassatat', with the Gonzi looking at them and a slogan "He doesn't know better"...........and since this is the case he should call it a day and call for an election.

Joe Vella

Jan 8th 2009, 23:12

Is there no a mechanism in place that Ene Malta will review the tariffs automatically every six months. The six months period reflect the length of the contract length that Ene Malta purchase it''s fuel in advance.

The recent change in fuel prices reflects the new price that Ene Malta paid for it's consumption for the next six months.

Charlo Camilleri

Jan 8th 2009, 21:05

Hehe ... no pn apologist has answered again!!!

lgalea

Jan 8th 2009, 18:57

Adrian Gouder
Are you implying that these products available in other countries are not refined because their prices were immediately lowered to follow the international price of oil?

Mario Gauci
Sure, they got 290 euros per week salary increase without having to take industrial action.

Karl Abela
We, the Maltese taxpayers, are paying for the incompetence and arrogance of Gonzipn and his Ministers. Agostini Pio did NOT keep his word. Gonzipn is doing exactly the opposite of what all the other world governments are doing. But he must be right and the others all wrong eh?

This reminds me of the joke of a driver ringing his wife telling her that all the other drivers were going wrong way on the highway while his wife was watching the news that one stupid driver was driving the wrong way.

This is besides the ILLEGALITY of sending us estimates especially when the tariffs are so high. I may not have used a single unit of water and electricity in one month, and yet Gonzipn will send me the bill with this tariff applicable during that month. This is SHEER HIGHWAY ROBBERY BY GONZIPN.

a.dalli

Jan 8th 2009, 17:53

Why are we arguing. Instead its best for everybody not to settle energy related bill.
What will Dr. Gatt do then - will he order the suspestion of this vital service for all..................
It is time to stand up and be counted.

Charles Zammit

Jan 8th 2009, 17:17

@ Adrain Gouder

So Mr Gouder advises that "when the international crude oil prices change, these are not immediately reflected within refined fuel prices (for electricity generation for example)".
Does this imply that the petrol and diesel sold from our service stations are not refined????
If I am not mistaken there has lately been a reduction in the price of these commodities.

Mario Gauci

Jan 8th 2009, 15:23

Of course all members of parliament have no problem with the utility bills. you know why? Because Gonzi deemed it fit to give such a huge pay rise to one and all. Us poor citizens..... we get crumbs for pay increases!

Corey Attard

Jan 8th 2009, 14:14

185 percent surcharge,I have to tell you the public of Malta and Gozo arebrian washed,to sit there and not saying anything.

Adrian Gouder

Jan 8th 2009, 14:10

@Michael Cutajar: "You and your Nationalist Party are alone in opposing a reduction in the water and electricity..."

WOW! Me and my what? Mr. Cutajar, I stand to benfit from reductions just like everyone else, or do I? Of course I want the tarifs to be reduced. I would be a fool if I did not. My comments on JM focused on Action vs Words and possible side-effects. Is JM in a position to prove the 'theft'? Can the PL or unions take the GM to court or push the regulator to take action?

Electricity costs are indeed incredible, and I do beleive thay are the cost of inefficiency. But then, reduce the bills and increase taxes? Watch what you wish for because you might get it.

E.J. Formosa

Jan 8th 2009, 12:56

Dear readers, as much as it hurts don't expect GonziPn to reduce ONE CENT from the new tariffs! He forgot the people completely...you can't blame him.....he won the election with such a BIG majority (sic)!!!!! He forgot that our pockets have a limit! For his glorious foresight, he should be nominated for a Noble prize for doing the opposite of what the very big majority of govts around the world are doing for their people's benefits. No wonder increases are on the way or already in on W&E bills, gas, drainage, bread, boat licences, car licences etc, etc, etc, etccccccccccccc. Dear friends we know how to keep our words, but Gonzi, Gatt & co DON'T.

J.Borg

Jan 8th 2009, 11:52

Can anyone give us a link showing us that Minister Gatt did in fact keep his word.....

Duncan Sant

Jan 8th 2009, 11:26

@Karl Abela
What deficit created by the oil prices??? When oil shot up at $147, we were being charged a surcharge of 95%. Minister Gatt had promised in August/September that if oil would go below $85, the surcharge would be reduced. This has not happened.

The govt is doing the same thing the petrol stations did. When price of fuel went up, they didn't complain about selling their fuel at higher prices than they bought it. Instead when the price went down, they complained about making losses. The govt is doing the same. If oil goes up, the tariffs are immedeately (or after a short while) adjusted upwards. When oil prices went down, the tariffs remained the same.

I am not against paying for what I consume, and I am also not against removing subsidies, but I cannot accept the fact that the government is acting with us as if it were a business and trying to reduce the deficit not by removing inefficiencies or reducing costs, but by squeezing more out of us citizens.

Charlo Camilleri

Jan 8th 2009, 11:24

@ Karl Abela
Aren't we those who HAVE BEEN paying for all the services, including the oil prices you're mentioning? Did not YOUR government squander all our money in an electoral campaign full of lies and promises?
Or are you one of those people preferred by the government who can get your way in any case?!

Mario Bonnici

Jan 8th 2009, 11:19

@Adrian Gouder

"No no and no again, when the international crude oil prices change, these are not immediately reflected within refined fuel prices (for electricity generation for example). This will eventually have an effect.... three or six months down the line perhaps? "

Maybe this will happen in May, "kumbinazzjoni" a couple of weeks before the MEP elections?

Michael Cutajar

Jan 8th 2009, 11:12

@ Karl Abela

spot on Karl. The people, the tax payers will be paying for the deficit.
now answer to my question: Who is responsible for the inefficiency of Enemalta and its administration?

P. Schembri

Jan 8th 2009, 11:06

@Karl Abela. Is it right for us to pay for the Government and it's authorities' inefficiencies? For that's what we're doing. The deficits were created by this 21 year old government. It's through no fault on Labour's part. It's wholly the PN government fault that we're passing through this ordeal of paying for someone else's inefficiencies.

simon Borg

Jan 8th 2009, 11:02

Keep breathing down their neck Dr Muscat. These people are simply shameless. Its like a jungle over here....and Dr Gatt is our Jaguar (pun intended!)

Michael Cutajar

Jan 8th 2009, 11:01

Ever since winning the general election, Lawrence Gonzi aided by Austin Gatt has been out of his depth and his judgement has been wrong. Gatt has shown a talent for making headlines on the hoof but with no care for the consequences for families and businesses.

@Adrian Gouder
You and your Nationalist Party are alone in opposing a reduction in the water and electricity tarifs and the surcharge, against the advice of all the Unions in Malta and the Partit Laburista

Government has abandoned people in these tough times. Instead of providing real help for families and businesses to come through the downturn sooner and stronger, the Nationalist Government is doing nothing but sit back and watch as the downturn gets deeper and longer. Professor Scicluna clearly showed that the Government`s workings are wrong. Malta cannot afford Gonzi`s schoolboy economic errors.

Nationalist Party apologists should stop being arrogant and admit that the Government`s economic strategy has failed.

Anthony Roberts

Jan 8th 2009, 10:57

Who do you think is paying for the deficit, the Government or the tax payer. Wake up Mr. Abela!

Karl Abela

Jan 8th 2009, 10:44

Joseph Muscat...are you going to pay for the deficit created by the oil prices????? are you going to pay for the interest incurred by the deficit?????

Think about the reality before thinking about your votes for next June.

H Dempster

Jan 8th 2009, 10:13

Come on, it is common knowledge that the tariffs were revised not because of the cost of oil , but because of the inefficiency of Enemalta in its administration and messing around with our money. A case that comes to ones mind is the purchaseing of the new faulty gas bottles..
Yes Joseph is right and has taken the right direction, especially when you notice how much the oil Prices have been lowered. Droping off a few cents from the price of petrol is like throwing mud into ones faces

I.Scicluna

Jan 8th 2009, 10:11

The fact that fuel prices shot up to unprecedented heights during 2008 cannot be denied; likewise, the freefall from $147 to $50s.

Unfortunately, the Maltese people are being treated as idiots by both the Government and Enemalta. I, personally, see nothing wrong in paying for what I CONSUME, but this is not the issue. The main issue is that the generation costs (directly influenced by the oil prices) seem to be also being loaded with the huge expence brought about by Enemalta's inefficiencies.

Muscat.Pat

Jan 8th 2009, 10:04

I have bought a solar heater last August, and I,ve changed all the candiscent lights to energy saving ones too. The "estimate" on my energy bill does not deduct the "efficiency" of my carbon footprint because of the new energy saving schemes. What is more untenable is that the government can estimate my bills when it knows how frugal we Maltese are when it comes to energy consumption. We all went frugal when the oil went up and yet we are going to be charged "extra" for doing so. This is all "freak economics" and the sooner someone puts some sense in these bills the better. And please, bark at the dog and not at Joseph Muscat, he is not responsible for this mess more than you or me are. If there were no "tariffs" but simply one bill, there would be fewer confusion, but the "tariff" was more "palitable" vote wise than the word "TAX"and more politically "savvy", so here we are with a ministrone that includes all sort vegitables, some of them undoubtedly incompatible, but that is not what a good ministrone makes!

Edward Darmanin

Jan 8th 2009, 09:25

I agree whole-heartedly with Joe Galea's comments. I do not disagree that the tariffs had to be revised and patience if they have to be so much. The least enemalta could have done however was to read the meters at the end of September. It is a known fact that most of us have indeed been made aware of wastage and how to cut down compensation. A lot of people have invested in energy saving lights, solar power and been more careful in consumption since summer. So I find it very unfair that we are been charged according to past consumption! It's true this will be compensated for in the next bill when the meters would have been read. The issue however is NOW. It is now people are feeling the pinch, it is now that we are bombarded with news of a looming recession and some people have actually been laid off or had their hours reduced. So I feel a bit on goodwill on the part of the government to recognise people's efforts immediately would have gone a long way in public relations in a time when we're all feeling the pinch.

H Dempster

Jan 8th 2009, 09:20

If I were to collect 1 cent from every politician throught out my life for each not haveing kept his promise ,I would die a Billionaire.

Adrian Gouder

Jan 8th 2009, 09:04

Are we not sick and tired of hearing the same thing over and over again... No no and no again, when the international crude oil prices change, these are not immediately reflected within refined fuel prices (for electricity generation for example). This will eventually have an effect.... three or six months down the line perhaps?

Who on earth does JM keep trying to fool... his own die-hards maybe? If JM is so certain that this is theft, then perhaps he should try to take the GM or Enemalta to court.

JM: Actions please, not pointless half-baked arguments and assumptions. Such words only serve to tire and annoy anyone you need to influence.

Nigel Lawrence

Jan 8th 2009, 08:30

So, when does a politician keep his word?

Joe Galea

Jan 8th 2009, 08:07

Worse more is that the meter readers didn't come to take the reading on 1st October. So we will be paying units used prior to this date at 185% unjustly. JM you are the only hope for this country. Keep up the good work.