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Fuel prices rise

Higher fuel prices at the pump were announced by Enemalta this evening and come into force tomorrow (Wednesday).

The biggest changes are in the prices of unleaded and leaded petrol which have increased by 15c. The diesel prices rises by 1c while the price of kerosene drops by 13c.

Product

Previous Price

(since 31/March/2009)

Revised Price

1st July 2009

Change

Unleaded

€0.990

€1.140

€0.150

LRP

€1.060

€1.210

€0.150

Diesel

€0.950

€0.960

€0.010

Kerosene

€1.00

€0.870

(€0.130)

Gasoil for heating

€0.610

No change

No change

TFO 200

€352.00

€429.00

€77.00

TFO 450

€339.00

€419.00

€80.00

TFO 900

€319.00

€403.00

€84.00

Enemalta said that during this month it received petrol and diesel consignments which obviously contributed towards this price revision, however, it pointed out, it had managed to keep prices stable for the past three months thanks to its policy to purchase in bulk.

"This policy especially in relation to the price of diesel has contributed for a stable price over the last three months and a lower increase this time round."

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Comments

Mark Piscopo (on 14/7/09)
This Shocking increase in the fuel prices will be a disaster to the economy. When we are striving so that we can make ends meet, this blow will be of a massive impact for families with low wages.This drastic increase which definitely does not reflect the current oil prices confirms that Dr Muscat is right. This 15% price increase is no joke it will severely punish us. Hope that now everyone will realize how the current administration are performing.
G. Curmi (on 3/7/09)
@ Philip Paris

Your comment “Sorry, I don’t own a hat” implied your unfamiliarity with the expression and therefore elicited my comment. No matter.

Nowhere in my comments did I state that you spoke (wrote) rubbish. You made an unfair comparison between fuel prices in Malta and those in Canada and I simply pointed out the unfair comparison. How interesting to note that you state that by “shooting down” your comment I am justifying the high cost of fuel. Had you carefully read my last comment (1st sentence, 2nd paragraph), you would have noticed that I specifically stated that I was not justifying the high costs of fuel in Malta, but simply providing some reasons for it.

It is interesting how certain people who cannot sustain their position in a debate suddenly wrap themselves in the flag of patriotism. You are not the only person who is proud of his heritage. While I too am very proud of my Maltese heritage, I do not resort to protestations of patriotism to uphold my position in a debate, and I decline to enter into a discussion comparing my level of patriotism compared to others. You have nice day also.
Dr Francis Saliba (on 3/7/09)
According to the BBC this morning the spike rise in the price of London Brent crude to $73.5 per barrel last Tuesday was triggered by just one rogue trader at a London oil broker PVM Oil Futures. The price slumped back $66.65 within two days.

Will Enemalta which is is prompt at citing increases in the price of crude oil to justify its usual immediate adjusting the price of oil upwards, now just as promptly reduce our cost of fuel?

Rodnick Abdilla (on 2/7/09)
Vehicle owners in Cyprus will see petrol prices reduced at the pumps over the next few days.


Some petroleum companies have already reduced their prices and it is good news for the consumer who has seen fuel drop from almost €1.10 to €0.74 over the last few months.


Many consumers are now hoping that their next electricity bill will also be reduced in line with the cheaper fuel prices.


ERMMMMMM the Maltese hoping the same
Philip Paris (on 2/7/09)
@G. Curmi

I am familiar with the expression and it is an insult.
I made a comment about how the hard working Maltese people are getting ripped off and you say I speak rubbish. By shooting down my comment you justify the high prices Maltese have to pay.
I am a proud of my Maltese heritage and I will always defend the people. You should do the same.
Have a nice day my friend.
Lawrence Camilleri (on 2/7/09)
Sur m camilleri, grazzi tal-parir tieghek. Ahna m'ahniex nitkellmu fuq sitwazzjoni meta l-prezz kien se jorhos u jien xtrajt bl-oghli meta stajt stennejt ghall-ghada u nixtri b'irhis imma f'sitwazzjoni meta ghada se joghla l-prezz u l-gurnata ta qabel (meta jien kelli bzonn nimla t-tank) jien xtrajt bil-prezz oghli meta kien suppost ghadu rhis. U d-domanda mhux lilek ghamiltha imma lill-Enemalta. Tghallem tkunx pruzuntuz u taghti pariri bla sens Sur m camilleri.
S, Abela (on 2/7/09)
Abel Abela

The price of oil has nothing to do with the price of commodities like petrol and diesel. Whilst i agree fuly with you that we have a high expense to keep our cars on the road with an insubstantial salary i encourage you to have a read here and you can compare our current prices. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of suppliers. Oil price per barrel is only indirectly related.
HTH.
http://www.theaa.com/onlinenews/allaboutcars/fuel/2009/june2009.pdf
A Farrugia (on 2/7/09)
@G Pace

Li tghid li familja b 5 karozzi tkun broke huwa argument bla sens.
Jin ma nhallasx il fuel/spejjez ohra ta missiri u huti u daqs tant ihor huma! come on!
illum il karozza bzonn mhux kapricc!
Mark Galea (on 2/7/09)
@All
why all these complaints - higher fuel means less cars - which means more parking space.
I take the longest trip with the bus everyday (the famous 45 bus), and live with it, even though the service is not great and I have to walk over 10 minutes to arrive to work, but the price is (Eur 0.58) for a 25 km ride. This translates to just over Eur 0.02 per km. My car uses around Eur0.09 per km (with the old tariff), so the difference is there, for those who see it.
(Obvioulsy I am not referring to those who have to take 2 busses or the bus service is far from their destination)
n. saliba (on 2/7/09)
I see that this article has drawn a lot of interest. It is obvious "FEJN TMISS IL-BUT" it hurts.

Now I finally hope that this is not all grumble for a few days and then we are drawn into some other controversy for discussion and made to forget all about fuel prices. This is now a known tactic. POPLU GHAJNEJK U IBQA ZOMM DAN F'MOHHOK GHAL META TIGI BIEX TIVVOTA F'ELEZZJONI GENERALI.

And to all those others who are somehow trying to justify the govenrment's actions, I am sure that the day will come when they will fianlly say "MEA CULPA"
joanna farrugia (on 2/7/09)
@Mark Galea gonzipn is already in a big fiasco lost 2 elections in a week 35,000 votes 2 prim ministers gonzi and austin gatt what else?the list never finish!!!
Justin Spiteri (on 2/7/09)
Why are we you all complaining .... there's Gasoil at 0.60 Euro cents. Knowing the goverment's care for the environment, i'm sure this imported gasoil has been checked for harming substances by enemalta, and is fully approved to be environment friendly.

Cars' diesel engine - powered heaters can all legally run on this fuel i assume, for heating purposes of course. Mobility is just an added side benefit :).
Abel Abela (on 2/7/09)
Watch out for further price hikes. Elections are over and the EU expects
Gonzi to push deficit under 3% by Dec 2010.
Maltese consumers got almost no benefit from the price slump of last year thanks to Enemalta.
Taking price end June as 100%
99c to 114c per litre = 115%
BUT compared to current market prices
USD50 to USD70 per barrel of oil = 140%
Market prices will go up again as the BRIC economies pick up.
That 25% gap gives the Govt & Enemalta more
grist for their own worn out mills.
Issa kull min ivvota lil Gonzi oqoghdu hudu gost ghidu grazzi lill-PN.


Mark Galea (on 2/7/09)
@J Balacchino
The biggest fiasco was the fact that that fiasco was because of internal issues. (x leaders!!!!)
Mike Magri (on 2/7/09)
HALLELULIA HON. MINISTER GATT.....!!!!!!

You and your comrades at Enemalta are very prompt in INcreasing fuel costs and tarrifs at the least EXCUSE of the moment. BUT you did not DEcrease such costs and tariffs when fuel costs went down under the U.S.D.85.00 per barrel as PROMISSED....!!!

Thus you should NOT HAVE Increased such costs, unless (1) such fuel costs go OVER the U.S.D. 140.00 per barrel, because that is what we have been SAVAGELY paying ALL ALONG, on our Utilities and fuel costs for our cars, etc... and (2) because fuel costs are still under your promissed U.S.D.85.00 per barrel...!!!

ISTHU JEKK TAFU KIF... Ilkom il-fuq minn 21 sena fil gvern u gibtuna gharkuptejna nhallsu d-djun ta l-Inefficjenzi Galore u t-Tberbieq Bla Razan ikkagunati mit-Tmexxijja u Decizjonijiet ZBALJATI u BAZWIJJA taghkom....!!!

_K_I_S_S_I_R_T_U_N_A_ _B_I_C_C_I_E_T_
A Vella (on 2/7/09)
@ M Callus: You fail to mention that italians are payed almost the double as we are paid as workers!
Stefan Gatt (on 2/7/09)
Tajjeb! Mela meta jorhsu l-prezzijiet, jorhsu b'xi 1c u ndumu nghidu ma nafx kemm fuq it-television u meta jgholew, jgholew b' 15c u hadd ma jkun jaf li gholew!! TAJJEB HAFNA! Prosit Gonz... Ibqa sejjer hekk siehbi... Imbasta "Fhimna l-messagg ta l-elettorat!"
Carmel Dimech (on 2/7/09)
@ M Callus.
Who dropped the Libya hedging agreement Labour did? After that mistake, who did the oil Hedging with very high prices and lost thousands of euros, or you don't remember ? If the government was wise enough he would have done another agreement with a very lower price, but Gonzi and Gatt don't care about the middle class in this country. I will never vote P.N. again, till they are in power.
Clint E Taliana (on 2/7/09)
What I can't understand is that when oil prices go down Enemalta always hase stock purchased at high prices, but when the price rises it seems the stock lasts much less!
Gordon Pace (on 2/7/09)
Lawrence Camilleri .
why did you buy patrol from him if you new its more expensive.. its your fault..
Roderick Mallia
THIS COUNTRY IS A JOKE! with people like you ..
E. Azzopardi this century!
Diesel Should not even be used for non commercial cars the government should stop importing such cars .. diesel should be used for commercial use only.. IF you want to save on gas buy a hybrid ..

Galea. L get a life .

Get your act together ALL OF YOU ..
if you want to complain you should complain at the transport system in Malta. Malta should find ways how to improve the public transport, stop from people buying cars .. mhux kullhad ghandu karrozza, familja ta hamsa .. hames Karozzi .. imbghad kullhad igerger kemm hu broke.. BLA sense...
Andrew Cachia (on 2/7/09)
enemalta financial statements;....didn't they say the problem was in cost of sales?? or administrative and staff costs??
Turnover 2 196,032 197,979
Cost of sales 3 (171,603) (168,865)
Gross profit 24,429 29,114
Transmission and distribution costs 3 (14,616) (13,639)
Administrative expenses 3 (9,344) (11,918)
Other operating income 4,626 4,204
G. Curmi (on 2/7/09)
@ Philip Paris

Clearly, you are unfamiliar with the figure of speech “talking out of your hat.”

Please note that I did not try to justify the high cost of fuel in Malta – I only tried to give some reasons for it. First, since it imports all its fuel, Malta is at the mercy of the oil cartels. Second, because of its small size, Malta is in no position to drive a harder bargain for fuel supplies based on volume – higher volumes = lower prices. Third, the cost of delivering fuels to Malta drives up the cost. Fourth, since 1977, when the Maltese government of the day created EneMalta as a monopoly of energy resources, there has been a noticeable lack of competition in the supply of fuels. The consumer is at the mercy of the monopolistic supplier. What Malta needs is a return to the days when there were multiple suppliers of fuels. This provided for some level of open market forces to regulate prices based on competition.
jason farrugia (on 1/7/09)
I don't know why you are arguing that diesel should go up instead of petrol. If you do some research you will realise that petrol has a much higher level of C02 than diesel. And if you're going to talk about the particulate matter, please note that new cars are coming with 0 particulate matter, so i totally agree that diesel should be much chepaer than petrol.
The only problem is that there are cars, minibuses etc that emit a lot of fumes but it's not because they are diesel!!! it;s because the engine has worked a lot( it could have been petrol)
Mark Seychell (on 1/7/09)
How about all those who are complaining, compare such prices to other European (not necessarily EU) countries, and try to find Malta at the top of that list? good luck because you wont, our prices are fairly average for these troubled times
Adrian Grech (on 1/7/09)
povru middle class dejjem tonqoslu il paga.ahan qedin inbatu ,iktar qedin inbatu adit l lezzjoni.
Steven Brockwell (on 1/7/09)
so does that effect the electric surcharge ?
m.camilleri (on 1/7/09)
l.Camilleri, Inti ghax tfajt il fuel meta rajt il prezz imarkat fuq il pompa. issa mur ghand tal pompa u ejdlu itik il flus jew inkella iraporta MRA u darbohra taghlem.Insomma inutli qed tipuntaw subajkom il tal pompi .subajkom ipuntawh lejn dan il bravu ta gvern li ghandkom il maltin, mhux zgur indunajtu li il petrol qied iktar min meta kien 140$ il barmil ,insomma tal pn xorta tibqaw tizkuzaw il gonzi ghalavolja qlajtu tkaxkira,Ibqaw sejrin hekk laqwa li hemm il gver taghkom issu xi team tas soocer dejjem warah jigri xjigri .Jien nahseb li meta tnehhu il kapestru xorta bandira sewda kerha tibqaw taraw
Guido Farrugia (on 1/7/09)
We're paying the price for incompetence at it's best. Hard lines. Laqwa li ghandna lil Renzo Piano maghna. Just today, Italy lowered prices on electricity and fuel
Lawrence Camilleri (on 1/7/09)
Price of petrol at the pump where I fill up was raised on 30th June, a day earlier, and I was charged the new rates a day earlier when the new rates were to apply. A simple question to Enemalta and for which I solicit an immediate reply : To whom should I apply to get a refund for the overcharge, the petrol station or Enemalta?
Klaus Pedersen (on 1/7/09)
A few months back, the petrol station owners had to be compesated when there was a price decrease, because they argued that they had bought the petrol in their tanks at the high price.

Will they be sending this money back now ? ;-0
charles zammit (on 1/7/09)
only in malta...what comes down must go up now that the elections are over, the nightmare that this government will have to face come next elections will not only come from joseph's new movement of moderates and progressive people but also by legions of disgusted voters
Philip Paris (on 1/7/09)
@G. Curmi
Sorry, I do not own a hat. Canada does produce oil and gas but it is more expensive to extract and produce it than in other conventional ways. Not to mention the destruction it is causing the environment.
This still does not justify countries like Malta having to pay over double the cost for petrol.
With all do respect, you are paying more for petrol to cover the costs of the Maltese Government mismanagement of money, much like we do in Canada with out high taxes.
M Callus (on 1/7/09)
@Enriquez and Tyrone Camilleri

Malta's fuel prices are more cheaper than Italy.

link below:
www.prezzibenzina.it -
M Callus (on 1/7/09)
@Carmel Dimech

Do you know how the system works?Countries are not allowed to buy an infinite quantity of fuel but they are given a quota over a period of time. Say you can buy so and so for so many moths.
M.Bezzina (on 1/7/09)
Roderick Mallia
THIS COUNTRY IS A JOKE!

You are right!!Did you know that you still find people justifying these things?Obviously if it was done by the PL the other side complains!! Nothing we can do much!!When Alfred Sant increased the prices because of the Enemalta incompetence the PN jumped on him and the answer was ''Because the oil price was less than 25USD a barrell!!''
But whatever the PN does thats immaculate!!Xtahseb Onorevoli Gatt!!
Intom li tghidu li tridu tkunu vicin il poplu hux!!Bil paroli imma!!
Andrei Azzopardi (on 1/7/09)
Where are the GPL/Metane/Electric/Hybrid cars? I tell you where:
1. Cars are still too expensive to buy and new technology is always more expensive especially in Malta since people are treated as ignorant.
2. Enemalta won't give GPL as car fuel since it will go into competition with itself. Same for other fuel types.

Electric cars for Malta are the most ideal since we are a small country but we have a lot of motorheads here. Not everyone can afford an electric or hybrid car so I think that an incentive to scrap your current car to get a 'reasonable' reduced price on a new electric/GPL/hybrid car would be perfect.

Oil is depleting and we cannot keep taking it as the 'last few drops of black gold' will be extremely expensive!
Max Bartolo (on 1/7/09)
I don't know how reliable these sources are and they are figures stated to be correct for July 2008 (last year) but (see the table with the yellow background):

http://www.hidden-italy.com/car/drive06.html

Those prices are definitely much higher than we are paying now so a third decrease of tariffs in Italy wouldn't really be anything extraordinary.

This article is also quite good:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2008/may/22/youthinkfuelpricesarebad

Good thing we're not in 1917! (I believe the prices are in pence - keep in mind that 100 pence = approx. 117 euro cents by today's conversion rate.)

Also it seems from here:

http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=828546

That the price of petrol in Australia is rising too and that the price of oil is also rising.

On another note, I took petrol yesterday night at about 11pm and it was still at the correct price.

Regards,

Max Bartolo
www.maltacarmarket.com
G. Curmi (on 1/7/09)
@Philip Paris

You're talking (writing) out of your hat. What you conspicuously failed to mention is that Canada is a major oil and gas producer. Therefore, it is logical that the price of oil and gas in Canada would be cheaper than in Malta where every drop of fuel is imported. You also failed to mention that oil companies are also ripping off Canadians at the pumps. It is ironic that petrol made from Canadian oil is cheaper in the U.S. than in Canada.

There was a time in Malta when there was competition in the provision of fuels. We had our choice in buying petrol from several providers like BP, Esso, Shell, etc., while the Malta Electricity Board provided electricity and Water Works provided water services. In 1977, the Maltese government (remember which party formed the government then?) created EneMalta and gave it its monopoly over all energy sources. It just occurred to me that the first five letters in EneMalta spell enema administered to the Maltese people by the government in 1977.

Those who are intent on attributing blame should remember which party inflicted EneMalta’s fuel monopoly on Maltese people.
E. Azzopardi (on 1/7/09)
All over the world, unleaded petrol is cheaper than diesel but here of course we have to be different. I am not saying that diesel should go up because of obvious reasons, but why is unleaded petrol always higher that diesel?
Really, some of the top people need to be given the axe and changed with ones who are living in this century!!!
J Balacchino (on 1/7/09)
@ Mark Galea
I totally agree with you regarding the 1996-98 fiasco. The biggest problem is that Dr Gonzi's fiasco is by far much worse and it seems it's getting more fiaschissimo each day.
R.Zammit (on 1/7/09)
Quote: "(ANSA) - ROMA, 30 GIUNIO - Scendono ancora le tariffe di luce e gas: energia elettrica -1% e gas -7,7%, con un calo medio totale ponderato di circa il 5,7%.Dopo i ribassi di inizio anno, dal primo luglio l'Autorita' per l'Energia ha infatti stabilito un'ulteriore riduzione delle condizioni economiche di riferimento. Il nuovo calo delle bollette di luce e gas, il terzo consecutivo dall'inizio dell'anno, portera' ad un risparmio complessivo di circa 212 euro all'anno a famiglia. "

For those who can't read italian, this is the THIRD decrease in electricity and gas tarrifs this year.

An interesting exercise would be for someone (perhaps a journalist?) to calculate the mean cost of crude oil over the last 12 months (with reference to time), and compare the price paid by the consumer for petrol (and derivatives) as well as electricity tariffs over the same period. To play the government's excuses, the graphs can even be staggered by 3 months. Anyone?
Mark Galea (on 1/7/09)
@Galea. L
my dear friend ... no matter what happens, you always call for Gonzi to resign? Why should he repeat the 1996-8 fiasco?
Roderick Mallia (on 1/7/09)
THIS COUNTRY IS A JOKE!
J Brincat (on 1/7/09)
And yesterday RAI annonced that the goverment would be reducing the rate for electricity and gas. Total saving for the Italians amount to Euro 85 annually.

And in sunny Malta we do everything diametrically the opposite!
joanna farrugia (on 1/7/09)
thanks dr gonzi it shows how sensitive you are. may i ask where our money is going?we are paying higher bills higher fuel its seems that us is the gov and gov having a ride on our backs!!!
A.Scerri (on 1/7/09)
Pity Enemalta never reacts so quickly to the market price when it comes to electricity bills!!!
D. Caruana (on 1/7/09)
In this country we are so environmental friendly that Unleaded petrol price goes up by 15cents! So forget to be green and if you want to spend less change to diesel engines and for a greater bargain you can mix up some kerosene too.
M. Cilia (on 1/7/09)
A member of my family went to fill up her car yesterday at 10.15pm and the petrol station at B´Kara had already increased the price. She still has her receipt showing the price and time.
Are the petrol station owners going to grumble now that they have a large stock like they did when the price went down?
A Said (on 1/7/09)
Can someone tell me why in Italy the prices went down whereas in Malta the prices go up. Please dont come with the excuse of the buying in bulk stuff!!!
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 1/7/09)
@ all ... May I ask if this was an electoral promise .. that the consumer has no rights whatsoever?

May I ask too if this "Fuel Prices Rise" was introduced to cover the expenses involved during the last power cut all over Malta and Gozo?

May I ask who is really running the country because it is evident that GONZIPN lost all its control? "Idejn sodi' cannot be weaker!

Is this what our dear country and us all deserve?

We have been experiencing a 'despotic democracy' too long!!!!!!!!!!! What a shame!!!!!
carmel zammit (on 1/7/09)
what about w and e tariffs?are they going up as usual?kerosene down?????? ergajna ghal zmien il lampa tghid? when buying in bulk does enemalta buys for just one month or two months?somebody is not playing his cards well.and the ppl are always the loosers no matter what
Ray Muscat (on 1/7/09)
thank you enemalta: for breaking my deisel pump (another expense to which enemalta is never responsible); and for the incompetence on not hedging when the price was low.
M CILIA (on 1/7/09)
I'm not surprised at all! And if anybody thinks that this is the climax he's terribly mistaken. This is only the tip of a four-year to go price hike iceberg. After all from where do you think the government will be getting the €80 million for the no gate new Valletta GATEWAY, the no roof NEW OPERA HOUSE and the 'transparent' New PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
Paul Borg (on 1/7/09)
@Francois Bulteel

Precisely!
Galea. L (on 1/7/09)
At work normally people buy sweets, fancy cakes etc on their birthday for their fellow workers.
Thank you Gonzi for giving us your birthday present.
We shall all remember it at election time.
R Gatt (on 1/7/09)
Yesterday I went to fill up my tank with unleaded from Falzan Station in B'kara opposite Four Seasons, at round about 9pm it was already EUR1.14!! :@ Why are these people allowed to do what they please when they please?

:@
Jeremy Lanfranco (on 1/7/09)
When oil prices go up as Enemalta states, fuel prices go up too. Why am I confused when the kerosene prices go down?
R. Azzopardi (on 1/7/09)
For those of you who are saying that oil prices are low, think again. Oil prices are easily available on the net (look up www.bloomberg.com/energy) and are currently hovering around the $70 mark. That is NOT low. It is much lower than the prices we had last year but they're still horrendously high.

@Michael Tabone. Nobody's stupid mate. As far as I know, hedging ceases to exist in volatile times (such as this one).

Having said all that, I still believe that our fuel prices are very high, especially considering the very poor quality (and I am not making reference to the leaking diesel pumps). Our fuel was always of a very very poor quality. It was ok when our prices were way below average but there should be no excuse now.
R. Zammit (on 1/7/09)
Enemalta is an obsolete and an unwanted monopoly and therefore unaccountable in all senses. It should have had the decency to explain why its fuel prices have been forcibly increased while neighboring Italy has in fact decreased its prices. Bugger off Enemalta and get into respectable competition!!
P. Schembri (on 1/7/09)
Who would want to buy Enemalta? Running at a loss of euro millions. If it was BOV or some other enterprise, it would have been bought, but not enemalta. We're paying for its deficiencies, not because of the price of oil.
Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia (on 1/7/09)
This hike in fuel prices comes at a bad time indeed, particularly when on the same exact day our neighbouring country Italy has cut utility prices!!

Something, somewhere is wrong and does not make any sense. Someone is either taking wrong decisions or else has no idea on how to run Enemalta.

At this point I, like many others I guess, have lost faith in the people managing this Corporation.

The Government has promised to be more sensitive to the people and listen to their pleas. This is the first occasion that the Government has, following 2 heavy electoral defeats, to give a reasoned explanation of why in Malta fuel prices went up when elsewhere they are going down.

These kind of public announcements by Enemalta do not suffice any more.
Charles Buttigieg (on 1/7/09)
Together with the rest of my family I am one of those who, last 6 June, took the plunge and voted PL. This was particularly hard for us, since we come from a staunch PN background. However, we felt the need of sending a message to government. We hoped government would hear the message, turn back to us, and have us voting again for pn in the future.

Alas I feel that with this move, they are showing us that they couldn't care less about our needs.

Surely, with this very un-social measure he is not making us regret the 6/6 vote. I dare PN to carry on with this abysmal track record. A change is needed ASAP. One month ago it costed him a seat in the EP. Next time round it could prove far costlier!
Emanuel Bartolo (on 1/7/09)
Incompitence at its best!!!!!!!
How is it that they hedge oil and as the price of oil was at its lowest, they didn`t stock!!!!!
What about now that the price of oil has gone down again???
These things only happen in Malta, or rather in GonziPN`s republic!!!!
Steve Rogers (on 1/7/09)
Why all the grumbling? We should have expected this! It has become a routine by this Government to slap the public silly right after elections. Min x'imkien iridu igibu l flus ghal parties taghhom la issa irridu jaghmlu Bieb il Belt! Shame on you Gov!

With that said, when is the market going to be liberalised? I believe we are late by at least a year? Where is the Commission in all this?

@Joe E. Briffa,

Please correct me if I am wrong but weren't you one of the bloggers who had forecasted that the price of oil would shoot up from $35 to $140 in a month or 2? Well it didn't and yet we are paying prices as if they were still $140 a barrel. So much for forward planning and Finanzi fis-sod from the Gov. And yes people do watch international TV. They saw the news in ITALY.

@Philip Paris

Nice to see your comments - they do make sense. Where are the others Canadians who usually comment here?
D.Magro (on 1/7/09)
This is just a one man show....Austin Gatt. Gonzi is just powerless.
J Baldacchino (on 1/7/09)
A big thank you for making kerosene cheaper.
BKOA (Bus Kerosene Owners Association)
Joseph Caruana (on 1/7/09)
Sell Enemalta off and open the market for serious competition. That way we can at least say we are paying a market price!
Tyrone Camilleri (on 1/7/09)
Hahaha this government is a joke !! On the same day that Italy has cut is utility prices, Malta has increased them !! http://www.tgcom.mediaset.it/economia/articoli/articolo453934.shtml

It seems the world has 2 different oil prices !! Barely a year from the previous election and already the situation looks gloomy to say the least. Coupled with what Tonio Fenech said last week about the next budget and you can forecast even more burdens for a brighter future.
Alex Fenech (on 1/7/09)
The cherry on the cake in the given economic climate.

Smart way to make up for money spent on energy saving bulbs.
M.Barbara (on 1/7/09)
Ah! Why did they tell us at the last minute? To avoid queus? I would have filled my car last night and paid about 3 euro less? What are enemalta thinking by not telling us at least 24 hours earlier? U veru halluna ta!
Francois Bulteel (on 1/7/09)
Last year, when the fuel prices went up, we saw a vast increase in the prices of the school transport fees. Although the price of fuel went down later on in the year, the transport fees never went down. Does this mean that the fees will go up even more, or has the government finished their enquiry into the school transport fees that they started more than a year ago!Maybe they are too ocupied with planning their new parliament building.
Robert Cassar (on 1/7/09)
Disgusting.. Shame on Enemalta and who ever represents it

Families are still suffering because of the reduced working hours and now again this! Dear Government we are not your puppets!
Jurgen Axiaq (on 1/7/09)
I cannot understand all this! In times when the govt should help the economy by fiscal policy..he is using such fiscal policy to continue to depress the economy. this is unbelievable!! 15% increase is not a joke!!

Fool me once shame on you .. Fool me twice shame on me!! The people are fed up of 3.5 years of Hell and the last 1.5 yrs of the electoral legislation back to the purgatory. This is an EXPIRED TRICK!!
M. Pace (on 1/7/09)
If the table highlighted by EFrendo is correct than we are among the cheapest in Europe.

BUT BUT BUT for sure we get the left overs since the quality of Petrol / Diesel that our cars take is very very very very low - so we are not getting back the value for money we are paying for.

A case in point is what happened recently with the Diesel - who is going to pay for the damages anyway - the customer as usual. Also I often drive abroad so I know how many Kilometers I drive for what I pay for - since I always take note. Motorways is not an excuse as many people say since I also drive a lot in cities and in more heavy traffic than Malta. So of course is the quality of petrol that we customers get makes the difference between the Kilometers I drive abroad with that I drive in Malta. Well done Enemalta and who ever is responsible.
michael tabone (on 1/7/09)
WHERE ARE THE HEDGING EXPERTS OF ENEMALTA? OR IS AUSTIN GATT DOING THE HEDGING AS WELL?

WHY DID NOT ENEMALTA HEDGE LAST DECEMBER JANUARY WHEN OIL WAS RELATIVELY LOW AT US$ 35 PER BARREL?

WELL DONE ENEMALTA FOR ALL THIS INCOMPETENCE.
Joe Caruana (on 30/6/09)
Funny man that Mr Schembri, funny indeed. Mela now we know why tankers were anchored on the horizon, awaiting to be called to unload at a higher charge. Those are the people who make money and others who make commissions from the situation. This is the social conscience of the people who decide our fate.
But the people have the govt. they deserve. It is useless to bring in Joe Muscat in the picture. When he is in the helm, we will see what he does, today we can only speak about who opens his mouth and talks aloud and does nothing to help us, poor citizens who live on a pension.
Joseph E Briffa (on 30/6/09)
The comments of some bloggers are really funny and some are downright pathetic...they seem to live in cuckooland and never read the papers, never watch news on BBC or RAI or Skynews, or TV5. Don't they know that the price of crude oil has gone up from USD40 to over USD70 i.e. a hefty 75% increase since February? Is it therefore surprising that the price of petrol has gone up...the surprising thing is that it has gone up by a mere 15% and there is no change in diesel.. And may I ask how Joseph would have managed to retain the former prices at the pump....does he use his magic wand? Why doesn't he tell us where he gets his cheap crude from, maybe we can get some ourselves and save some money to spend on the Super Five....
Ronnie Gauci (on 30/6/09)
A measure which will really help improve the environment, unleaded petrol +15c while diesel will only rise by a cent. This is a step in the right direction indeed. Next time I'll buy a diesel car as the more your vehicle emits fume the more money you save in Malta.

L-aqwa li qerdu l-basktijiet tal-plastik u kullhadd bix-xirja mghaffga u jiddobba l-kaxxi!!!
R.Zammit (on 30/6/09)
By coincidence I heard on italian radio just today that their fuel and gas prices were to DECREASE as of tomorrow.

If ever required, this is another example of Enemalta's extravagances being force-fed to the consumer.
Jonathan Agius (on 30/6/09)
Considering that the prices of fuels had gone up, the state of the roads are what they are, riding a bicycle in these summer days will dehydrate all the water out of you + the lack of protection of riding a bicycle in the Maltese roads, we have one of the most inefficient, hilarious and disgusting public transport in Europe ...... Malta is in a state of transport emergency. Even walking is not an option unless you're living in a "green" area.
Christopher Demicoli (on 30/6/09)
As longs as Enemalta's monopoly continues, we will have these unacceptable decisions by unaccountable staff. Enemalta is one of Malta's worst nightmares.
joseph zammit (on 30/6/09)
Grumbling at infititum. Are we ready to react? Are we going to do something about these injustices? Are we going to organize a nationwide protest--a civil disobediance? Remeber Gandhi? He reacted against the british Empire, and he succeeded. And we? What are going to do about it? organize, perhaps, another Funeral March in Valletta, like we did before?
Maybe, the goverment is smart enough to know about our weaknesses, that is, we grumble but do NOTHING!
Is this not a national issue? Are not these prices exagerated for both PL and PN supporters? Are there people foolish enough to justify these injustices because "their" party is in power? What is wrong with us? We are being sucked alive and we do nothing? Are we afraid to protest because the goverment labels us people as Hamalli? Where are the Jesuit Refugee Services? Are these not injustices against the Maltese people--do they care about us? Where is the Church and the moral teachings? Do the Church authorities remember us only for the Sunday mass collections? Oh Lord! Seddaq lil min jahkimna. Haa!
David Mizzi (on 30/6/09)
Is this a reflection of crude oil price goin' up or of refined one ???
MRA please explain !

Some people think all the Maltese citizens are ignorant enough to take in all what's being said

Regards to all
J. Sciberras (on 30/6/09)
Its funny reading the comments by some; one thinks and wonders why we have this government in power. The answer is simple, go over the comments by some and you find people who literally excuse this government for increasing once more the prices.
As for this government- no signs of caring for the people are repeated practically daily, but when citizens, at any cost, simply find excuses for such irresponsible actions, it leaves me to wonder.
So Dr Gonzi go on and keep on with this attitude squeezing more and more out of citizens, for the people are so blind that can not call a kettle black.
James Grech (on 30/6/09)
Just wait till the new W/E tariffs are announced. Just yesterday minister Fenech stated that people have to pay for what they use. Today a rise in fuels, tomorrow rise in W/E, what next? Government does not realise that "tiehu bla ma trodt is-swar thott".
DR EMMY BEZZINA, LL.D.,B.A., (on 30/6/09)
The back stabbing against the people continues while we are regaled with Piano Projects which are costing our country millions of euro again forked out by the People.The time has come to end the monopoly of ENEMALTA apart from the fact that MONOPOLY is against EU LAW and its fundamental freedoms.The truth of the matter is that this country where it suits it is flagrantly flouting and violating EU Laws,Regulations,Directives,Decisions,Opinions and Common Positions.A monopoly always leads to abuse as to who will control this surprise maneuvering at very frequent occurrences now by ENEMALTA where its top brass are privileged with perks.
This matter has to be taken up by responsible authorities as no doubt Government was consulted on such an issue and a decision was determined to increase shortly after the EU Election Results - the way is already being paved for a tough budget to make good for the graceful period antecedent to some other General Election: this is not a Government by the People and for the People but the People slaving it out for the Government to embark on PROJECTS that the country cannot afford and are unacceptable to the Electorate.
a abela (on 30/6/09)
Yeah franco, but im sure he would reduce it. He has social conscience.
Galea. L (on 30/6/09)
SHAME ON YOU GONZI.
WE SHALL REMEMBER YOUR INCOMPETENT DICTATORSHIP.
IF YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST MODICUM OF DECENCY YOU WOULD RESIGN FORTHWITH.

John Schembri
It would have been but now we have conscienceless Gonzi in Government.

Anthony Cutajar
It has been proven time and time again that it is GONZI that has ta grudge against Maltese society.

E.Muscat
Don't bet that Gonzi will remain for the nexty four years.

E Gatt
What about the wages in other european countries?
Manuel Micallef (on 30/6/09)
WOW!!!

15 cents in one go!!!

election over - prices go up dramatically!! irrespective of whether international prices go up or down, fuel prices in Malta are always on the increase.

WOW!! - how do people continue to vote for them?!!! was 35,000 votes not enough?!!
P Agius (on 30/6/09)
How stupid can the Maltese Authorities be? Incedentally at the same day the Italians are reducing the fuel prices for the 3rd time this year - just read here http://www.tgcom.mediaset.it/economia/articoli/articolo453934.shtml ... so it's either enemalta are stupid or its a big fat lie
Noel Enriquez (on 30/6/09)
The funny thing is that in Italy prices are down, as in the rest of the world,.. and in Malta it's the opposite:

http://www.corriere.it/economia/09_giugno_30/bollette_nuova_diminuzione_6939f06c-658d-11de-853b-00144f02aabc.shtml
M Xuereb (on 30/6/09)
15 cents in the litre?! So much for our eco-friendly conscience. We're back to smelly, smog-belching diesel with a BANG! And guess who stands to gain yet again from it all.....big time? The petrol station owners - of course!!
A Vella (on 30/6/09)
with the low price kerosine will we smell it again on our roads ??

Once again dear ENEMALTA I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the pump seals you have ruined on my car............
savior cordina (on 30/6/09)
In Italy electricity and gas prices are going down while inflation has never been so low since1968 and in Malta now we have these new higher fuel prices for unleaded petrol.Are we paying for an incompetent govt?
J Attard (on 30/6/09)
Come on guys, issa we got the new city gate, the new parlament and the Opera house rebuilt. Min ximkien iridu jigu il flus. Ahleb il Cikku u il poplu, dawk 4 snin ohra jinsew kemm dhakt bihom sur Gonzipn.
Philip Paris (on 30/6/09)
I find it crazy that here in Canada we pay .647 Euro a litre and the people of Malta pay 1.40 Euro a litre. Maltese citizens are getting ripped off and the Government is doing nothing to help price fixing.
Albert Bezzina (on 30/6/09)
Well actually if you all wanted to have up to date international prices of major fuel types and relative to crude go to:
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_spt_s1_d.htm
It will show that the price variations of fuels at the local pumps are related to political strategy rather than the relationship to the international fuel or crude oil prices. If the authorities want to come clean (sic) they should announce the dates of purchase and the prices paid for each consignment, otherwise the usual statements justifying price changes can hold no water nor could they ever be deemed credible by the consumer.
The question is simple
When were the previous consignments bought and at what price AND when have the last consignments been bought and at what price. Than we can all check if elections had anything to do with price changes at the local pumps.
L Zammit (on 30/6/09)
proset allura meta jorhos iz zejt xorta jibqa ghali ghax inkunu xtrajna bl'gholi u meta joghla erhilu joghla mill ghada .....povru il poplu malti
marc cassar (on 30/6/09)
ANOTHER JOKE..... (I HAVE GOT TO START WRITING THESE DOWN.
@ E GATT & All
if you go to the Times website - click 'World News'.... then you'll find an artical showning that " Oil falls 2 pct after eight-month high - Today, 19:54 - Reuters" (link:- http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/headlines/world-news)....
What a coincident - oil drops in the rest of the world and Malta raises it.

PS - @Mr.I. Gatt - ask your mechanic why the pump burnt out... he may tell you it is the Enemalta mix of aviation fuel surplus being mixed with diesel (as some joker over ordered too much jet fuel - which has to be shifted) many cases seen lately on diesel cars.
R Chetcuti (on 30/6/09)
Oh what a gd way to start the week..and the month! Thanks Enemalta! u made my day! ( I thought fuel prices around the world had dropped to $70 per barrel......i must have be misinformed)
Carmel Dimech (on 30/6/09)
Ah yes same old story, why did not the goverment prepare himself for the rise of oil prices and buy a large quantity when it was really cheap? Do you think that in three months all the reservoir of oil already finished? Pathetic. Gozi resign please as we had enough of you . Ex P.N.
steve elliott,uk (on 30/6/09)
Plymouth, southwest uk ,latest fuel prices as of 19.55 today

Unleaded Diesel LRP Super LPG
The Highest price in this area: 106.9p 107.9p n/a 115.9p 55.9p
The Average price in this area: 103.7p 104.6p n/a 109.9p 55.9p
The Lowest price in this area: 100.9p 101.9p n/a 104.9p 55.9p
R Axisa (on 30/6/09)
Just heard on TG2 that from tomorrow the italians will have their electricity bills down by 1% and their gas bills down by 7.7%. And we had our electricity and gas bills increased, and now, for the umptieth time, fuel too!
Michael Neville Cassar (on 30/6/09)
Money No Problem. But living is, 15 cent on LRP means that someone is gething some thing free, while others are making up the differance and spending money making Valletta the city of Troy what is needed is the wooden horse.
Josef W. Muscat (on 30/6/09)
@ all
It is obvious that I am not in favour of increases in any of my daily costs. But who am I ? I cannot to-day or ever if prices go up or down. Everybody knows who the privileged ones regarding these decisions are. Gonzi is taking them now ( and is paying a price ). At the same time any opposition leader has the opportunity to promise lower fuel prices or energy tariffs if elected. But speaking against fuel and tariff rises is one thing, promising to decrease them is another. Better the devil you know !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Darren Cassar (on 30/6/09)
Can the government do something about society especially the family. Why does the government speak about enforcing the family and does nothing to control this utility pricing.

I know it is out of topic but as regards to City gate project wouldn't it have been better to spend that money on the restoration of all the palaces and historic buildings which are falling to pieces in first for e.g. fort St Elmo.
R Agius (on 30/6/09)
Prices are pegged to the price paid for fuel so obviously they will sometimes go up and sometimes go down. Its funny though, the bloggers intent on politicizing any issue are conspicuous by their absence when the price of fuel goes down.....

I only have one comment for them - "Get a life...."
Franco FArrugia (on 30/6/09)
@ John Schembri: But we don't have Joseph, not yet, now, do we?
steve elliott,uk (on 30/6/09)
Are those tankers still anchored off Malta?
John Pisani (on 30/6/09)
"FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI" Thanks Gonzipn.....By the way Vince Farrugia is this ok now? How about your members? Are you going to say anythng now that you are a PN candidate?
l gatt (on 30/6/09)
yes and thank you enemalta for breaking my deisel pump.................do other europeans get the same deisel as us..............do they have to change the pump seals too..........u halluna.......you think people are stupid!!!!!!
Anrthony Briffa (on 30/6/09)
It is high time that the authorities give heed to the citizens plea & that is:
FUEL AT A MORE ACCEPTABLE OPTION, FOR THOSE CITIZENS THAT HAVE NO OPTIONS ~ sorry for this repetition of "words".
The solution is the prov ision of GPL fuel, which, currently, costs Euro 0.65/Ltr.
Isn't that worth thinking about, DEAR ENEMALTA AUTHORITES & HONORABLE MINITER AUSTIN GATT ?????
E Gatt (on 30/6/09)
Please search for the international price of oil changes over the last three months (example this one
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/commodities/143908/three_month.stm
) and you will realise that the price of crude oil has increased by around 50% during the period (bad news for us and all other oil importing countries). Luckily the dollar has weakened by around 6% against the Euro in the same amount. The price of unleaded fuel should really have gone up by between 30c to 40c and not 15c.

As usual many people are quick to blame ‘GonziPN’ on the increase in the price of oil and give the impression that MuscatPL could use some super power to control the price of oil. After winning the EP elections earlier on this month, Dr J Muscat admitted that he does not have such super powers and cannot guarantee stable prices.
EFrendo (on 30/6/09)
For all the know-it-all people out there
check out
http://www.theaa.com/onlinenews/allaboutcars/fuel/2009/may2009.pdf
for the latest fuel prices in europe
Daniel Saliba (on 30/6/09)
il-gvern vera sema minn dak li qallu l-poplu fl-ahhar elezzjoni tal MEP!!!
KZammit (on 30/6/09)
this is amazing! (in the bad sense)
amifsud (on 30/6/09)
@noel scerri
"I cannot understand this inverse trend in fuel prices in Malta. As far as I know oil prices are still low. Can please someone maybe explain as I am confused!"

Be confused with the rest of the world. In Canada we had petrol prices drop to their lowest for many years at the end of last year. Now they have gone up over $0.30 again. The oil prices seem to have nothing to do with it when it suits the petrol companies.
E.Muscat (on 30/6/09)
You ten grumblers are going to have to grumble for at least 4 years:you don't even try to quote what the oil prices are now and before! You don't seem to have caught on the diesel fuel pump leakages currently affecting many cars in Malta that was highlighted by another sunday paper:now that may be a good grumble!
K Tanti (on 30/6/09)
At least, the price of kerosene went down. OOPS, my car takes unleaded!
Marvin Mizzi (on 30/6/09)
The election is over ........ now the voerment can increase the prices ...... typical hypocracy of this arrogant goverment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justin Spiteri (on 30/6/09)
I've just bought a more eco friendly UK import car, petrol. It has much lower emissions than my old Isuzu 1.7TD car, which looks and smells like the delimara power station. But bugger, seeing this arrogance i'm back to driving my beloved diesel car, at least till enemalta goes back to sub 1 EUR prices on petrol, or till it finally hopefully goes totally bankrupt and we start getting fuel from a more competent, and honest, energy distribution company.

Simple ... you don't care? I don't care. Back to smokey smelly cheap diesel.

Justin.

P.S. Incentives to get new cars? NO WAY i'm removing my "old registration" diesel, the country's too unstable to trust anyone without getting played...
Adrian Borg (on 30/6/09)
Viva l-inkompetenza ta' l-amministrazzjoni ta' l-Enemalta!

Mhux bizzejjed hallejtuna gurnata minghajr dawl u mhux ha tatu kumpens ghall-hsarat li ghamiltu ghax ghadtu li "ma kienx fil-kontroll taghkom"? X'inhu mela fil-kontroll taghkom, il-pagi li ddahhlu?

Ma tridux tghidu wkoll illi l-gholi tal-prezzijiet tal-Petrol u d-Diesel m'huwiex fil-kontroll taghkom? Mela vera ma tghamlu xejn hemm gew u m'hemm xejn kontroll taghkom ghax inkompetenti u ghall-ebda raguni ohra!
Jeremy J Camilleri (on 30/6/09)
JohN Schembri--We are living in the now, not in the what if.
P. Schembri (on 30/6/09)
@John Schembri. By what warped logic are you saying that Joseph Muscat would have decreased the fuel prices? Dr. Muscat never committed himself. So how come you brought him into the equation. All I can say is that the PN is in government not the PL! The oil price is still low, and yet we already are paying higher prices. Viva the PN leech!
M Mifsud (on 30/6/09)
To this Government:

In the words of another Parliamentarian "For God's sake go"
Lydon Ancilleri (on 30/6/09)
The money we saved in the last few months will be taken in a blink of an eye. Unbelievable!!!!
Paul Barrett (on 30/6/09)
So, back to the Diesel - Kerosene smoking vehicle fuel mix again - not that many vehicles were not smoking already of course.
Ray Buttigieg (on 30/6/09)
a 15% price increase is no joke. It is a disgusting gesture by a government that seems to have given up and all it wants to do is punish the people.
John Schembri (on 30/6/09)
Yes and if we had Joseph, LRP would have been €0.60 .
J.Borg (on 30/6/09)
the elections are over......................

now wait for gas increase

also we already heard Minister Fenech saying that we have to pay for what we consume....does this mean that the eco reductions for water and electricity tariffs have to make way!!!!!!
Noel Scerri (on 30/6/09)
I cannot understand this inverse trend in fuel prices in Malta. As far as I know oil prices are still low. Can please someone maybe explain as I am confused!

Dzahra (on 30/6/09)
Will the petrol station owers do a fuss and check the stock in their tanks like when the prices went down?

thanks tal-kuxjenza socjali
K Ellul (on 30/6/09)
It seems the election is over and time for GonziPn to spread his love... oh or is it a grudge against the people who lost faith in his (lost) cause.
godfrey ellul (on 30/6/09)
Fund-raising for the turbines?
darin farrugia (on 30/6/09)
Shame on this Government... shame!!!!
Can this Government do anything correct????
A disaster to the economy, that's what you are... rubbish.
ANdrew Cachia (on 30/6/09)
does enemalta have a grudge against society?
R. Bugeja (on 30/6/09)
So much for "Fuel prices going down".

I knew that the few cents that had been shaved off a few months ago would be payed back soon enough, and thankyou Enemalta for proving me right.

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