Vouchers for energy-saving bulbs in mid-June, PM says
Vouchers for the free energy-saving bulbs that were promised by the government and meant to start being distributed by the end of this month would probably be handed out mid-June, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.
The vouchers were printed but some outlets needed more time to stock up on bulbs, he said during a press conference held as part of the MEPs election campaign.
"We don't want anyone thinking that handing out the vouchers is an electoral gimmick," Dr Gonzi added.
The bulbs had been promised before the March 2008 general election and, since then, people have been questioning what happened to this bright idea.
Earlier this month, Dr Gonzi had said the distribution of vouchers was to start by the end of this month. He said the process to register importers and distributors was now completed and the vouchers would be distributed in localities and exchanged for the bulbs.
The government said earlier this year that up to one million bulbs would be handed out. Households of one or two persons would receive five bulbs, those of three or four people would receive eight and larger households would receive 10.
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Joseph Micallef
May 30th 2009, 14:44
If this is not an electoral gimmick then why not announce it after the election? Please Dr. Gonzi. This statement insults our intelligence.
James A. Tyrrell
May 30th 2009, 14:23
"We don't want anyone thinking that handing out the vouchers is an electoral gimmick," Dr Gonzi added. Of course it’s an electoral gimmick, do you think your own people are idiots? These bulbs were promised before the last election and until now nothing has happened. So at present you have a Government who can't even organise the distribution of free light bulbs. Bearing that in mind what hope is there for the country?
The quay at Hondoq on Gozo collapsed in January during a storm. Here is one of the most important areas in the whole of Malta from a tourist point of view and what have the Government did to fix it? Nothing. Building of the ugly eyesore at Dwejra was halted well over a year ago and what have the Government did to return the area to its previous condition? Nothing.
But then the Government have more important things on their mind like persuading Mepa to allow a disco to take place at the infamous Mistra site, and other landmark decisions against the environment such as the new Delimara power station extension. You always get what you vote for and Malta is certainly evidence of that!
Tony Caruana
May 30th 2009, 14:02
Wow !!!! thanky you very much Dr Gonzi. I can;t wait....Honest
Galea. L
May 30th 2009, 12:35
Hohohohoahhahaha stop it Gonzi because I cannot stop laughing
James Grech
May 30th 2009, 12:03
"We don't want anyone thinking that handing out the vouchers is an electoral gimmick"
Ermmm, wasn't this same promise stated before the last general election? So then it was a gimmick and not its not? Can't really understand the prime minister. Can anyone?
PAUL MICALLEF(TA LINGLIZA)
May 30th 2009, 11:13
What a waste, i am alredy fully stocked with these kind of light bulbs,as i have been using them since 1997, and at the moment in every light fixture around the house,
Why does this goverment have to rush to do everything, it would have been much wiser, for certain house holds, like myself, if we could have been given the option, that instead of light bulbs we should have been given a reduction in the ELECTICITY bill, what do you think?? as now i will store them, and i am already thinking of buying LEDs as they are much better, they do not emit heat and they waste up to 50% less electric, so i will surly go for them. I have alredy heard comments, that PEOPLE will have there bulbs sold, so i hope that there will be some kind of mark on them, like NOT FOR RESALE. This is what gets me in the country there is no foward thinking on nothing.SORRY.
Joseph Stafrace
May 30th 2009, 11:10
Prior to sending the vouchers the government should issue a press release indicating the Importers who will be participating in this scheme. Their product name should also be known so as to avoid the possibility that certain cheap bulbs currently on the market are handed out instead!