Utility tariffs: MRA invites suggestions on principles

Paul Spiteri

Feb 18th 2009, 05:36

Principles
1 Tax those who benefit
2 WSC has training centre inbuilt - adopt a reallocation scheme for workers
3 WSC/Enemalta should set up teams to take jobs in private turnkey projects (skilled workers within these corporations have secured watchmen jobs being more cushy jobs)
4 Energy prices should be based on oil barrel price plus mark-up cost on refinery
5 Prices should be stablised when price goes down say 40% the current price would go down say 20% immediately - (High price 100 + lower price 60 / 2 = 80) till high price stock is depleted; The price will be put doen to 60; when the price rises to say 90 energy rates are to be increased immediately 60 to 90+60/2=75 --> Max price 80 Min Price 75 ie stabilisation.
6 $ devaluation brings Euro price down
7 Put secondary street lighting off - when car lights are enough
8 An analysis should be presented to the Boards of the respective corporation as to the bills related to the numbers of beds or employees or production volume - (a) to suggest consumption reduction and (b) a check on fraud 9 WSC/Enemalta set up an internal audit unit.

JImmy Magro

Feb 17th 2009, 22:22

The whole issue is how much we have independent regulators in Malta. This cannot work in Malta and we cannot apply the EU model because Malta is so small, Government is too big, and we do not have persons who are willing to say no to the Prime Minister or a Minister. Regulators are an extension of the big government and cannot operate freely.

The second issue is transparency and governance. If MRA declares that it will will subscribe to the principle of transparency and publishes its meetings, telephone calls, minutes of meetings, correspondence, data on purchase prices, data on wastage, data on efficiency and Key Performance Indicators then it would be useful to comment. But if we have a secretive system of Government that compares to the Bush-Cheney Administration then we can just pack up and go home.

MRA must be ready to consooidate its governance and that of enemalta to have a model corporation that is run on economic and commercial principles. This does not mean that this principle will only be applied to the setting up of selling prices but it will also apply to resources management, evaluation of deliverables, management evaluation and reform program. Otherwise.......leave_the_people_alone_as_we_have_better_things_to_do.

alfred agius

Feb 17th 2009, 21:34

WHY NOW ?!

Set of principles should not only govern the coming utility scheme but should apply retroactively since the date of the introduction of the arbitrary and exorbitant tariffs.

That`s what I call justice done.

Gerald Fenech

Feb 17th 2009, 21:09

This is becomong even more of a farce by the day. In the meantime no one knows where he/she stands as regards energy bills and Enemalta continues to face massive cashflow problems. What a monumental mess!

John Debono

Feb 17th 2009, 19:36

I hope and seriously hope that whatever principle is being considered, the extra workers and non productive staff at Enemalta will be shifted onto the unemployment budget.Why should we pay for salaries of people who are not needed?.Personally I feel sorry for them,but we should not pay for something which we are not responsible for.I am sure.... that as was the case with other public corporations which have been privatised the work force at Enemalta could do well with half of what they employ now.
We surely need more people in the cleansing department,road repairs,waste seperation etc....just do the move...

P.Cassar

Feb 17th 2009, 18:13

AT LEAST, AFTER HEAVING AND POUNDING FOR MONTHS ON END, WE HAVE A REGULATOR WHO IS AT LEAST MAKING SLIGHT MOVES AFTER YEARS OF HIBERNATION THE OTHERS ARE STILL DORMANT

HOWEVER, WHAT CAN WE SUGGEST WHEN THE CHAIRMAN HIMSELF SAID THAT HE CANNOT CHANGE WHAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DECIDED!!!!!!

WHAT WAS HE DOING THEN??? REMEMBER THAT HE IS PAID WITH OUR MONEY SUPPOSIDLY TO PROTECT US!!!!
WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO TAKE PEOPLE FOR A RIDE???