Muscat accuses Gonzi of playing for time

The latest move to postpone the review of the utility tariffs was nothing but the Prime Minister "playing for time", Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

He was reacting to the announcement that the Malta Resources Authority had postponed the review of the tariffs from February to mid-March.

He said the review was now "coincidentally" scheduled to take place during a parliamentary debate on the tariffs requested by the opposition. The opposition would insist during the debate that the bills issued since October should be withdrawn and replaced by lower tariffs.

Dr Muscat accused the regulator of not having lifted a finger until now with regard to the "unfair bills" being mailed to consumers. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should not only withdraw the bills but also apologise to the public.

Meanwhile, opposition MP Joe Mizzi yesterday filed a second judicial protest against the authorities over the water and electricity rates, calling on them to enforce the law governing fair competition.

Mr Mizzi, Labour's whip, filed his protest against the Prime Minister, the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs and the Malta Resources Authority.

Last January, Mr Mizzi complained to the MRA, demanding that it would take the necessary action in its role as regulator of the country's resources.

In another protest last Friday, Mr Mizzi said that the director of consumer affairs had still not looked into the legal notices implementing the utility tariffs, weeks after they had been introduced.

He insisted in his protest yesterday that the situation could cause immediate and irreparable damage to the economy and Mr Mizzi called upon MRA to take immediate action to enforce the law.

Lawyer Justyne Caruana signed the protest.