PL attacks petrol price increases

P.Zammit

Jul 2nd 2009, 18:09

@A.Zammit Ma tistax titfa statement hekk, bl-addoc u nhallik bil-kwiet. Il-PN veru kissru pajjiz ? Fejn kont qieghed tghix dan l-ahhar 20 sena - Timbuktum jew ? Il-PN gabek nies, gab pajjizek modern fuq hafna affarijiet, gablek drittijiet li taht dawk li tghozz int ma kellekx, gablek paga aqwa milli kellek (jekk indenjajt tistudja), dahlek fi block bsahtu *EU*********** Gab il-kalma fil-pajjiz, ghamillek ambjent fejn il-businesses zdidu sew mil l-ahhar darba l-cekjajt, sptarijiet privati, xelta biex tixtri. Issa saru zbalji (LE ghax ghandi nuccali blu skond int) uzgur li saru, pero anqas min 22 xhar taht Fredu jew is-sittax il-sena ta swat taht iz-Zero u Mintoff. Hemm prezz li trid thallas ? Daz-zgur, tifimha nahseb jekk trid ma jkollokx ragunar tad-dahk bhal sihbek. Ifhem, nahseb jekk dan il-gvern ta l-opportunita li tixtri l-A/C, umbad jghola z-zejt u allura jgholilek il-kont tad-dawl ghax tuza l-A/C nahseb mhux tort ta hadd le ? Hlif tas-suq (its the market stuipid). Trid tifhem jew le ? Trid tkun onest ma l-intelligenza tieghek stess ? Trid tieqaf tara ahmar, tilbes ahmar, tizfen l-ahmar no matter what ? Mela iftah ghajnejk u hallik mis-super one u dak li ghid manwel cuschieri.

A Zammit

Jul 2nd 2009, 13:43

@ P Zammit: Ara l partit tieghek, dejjem jghid qabel elezzjoni li ha jnaqqas id dawl, ha jnaqqas it taxxi u li b' 'Par Idejn Sodi' ghandna l 'Finanzi fis- Sod'! Ahjar tara kemm intom tad dahq intom u kif kissirtu pajjiz qabel ma tghid cucati iktar milli int u shabek tan nuccali l blu li taraw kollox sabih ilkom tghidu!

P.Zammit

Jul 2nd 2009, 12:34

Galea. L (15 hours, 7 minutes ago)
L.Muscat
Because they did not want to guarantee supplies during the 1973 oil crisis that's why.

WELL DUDE, MUSCAT DOES NOT WANT TO GUARANTEE ELECTRICITY COSTS IN 4 YEARS TIME - WHY DONT U SEND HIM PACKING ?

LE LE ragunar jaqsmek (bid-dahk!)

Manuel Scicluna

Jul 2nd 2009, 06:53

We have now reached the bottom. PN is now in deep coma.

M.Bezzina

Jul 2nd 2009, 06:11

@J Martinelli

Jekk taqra il kummenti tieghek tinduna li inti wiehed minn dawk in nies li qatt ma toffri xi solluzzjoni ghajr tghajr lil PL tip li kif jghamlu l qatates jghattu dak li jkunu ghamlu .Forsi jekk xi darba tinqaleb il folja zomm daw il kummenti f mohhok halli meta jigri l-istess tghis ara dak iz zmien jien hekk kont nirranguna!!

edwin formosa

Jul 2nd 2009, 05:36

Sur adrian aquilina ghandek xorti qed tghix fi zmien GONZI. Jien kelli nghaddi 17 il-sena ta terrur u ghaks taht is-socjalizmu laburista ta MINTOFF u naf x'qed nghid. Inwarrbu lil Gonzi biex inpoggu lil dak li tqanzah tant biex jipperswadina li l-Ewropa hazina ghalina imma ma l-ewwel cans li kellu mar sparat ghax ghalih kienet tajba??? Dik irgulija muskatina !!!

Muscat.Pat

Jul 1st 2009, 23:47

A good captain shows his mettle during a storm, the storm came and the captain dumps his passengers! The Italian government has just lowered the price for fuels in order to jump-start the economy, whilst the GonziPN takes its breath away.
Since Gonzi is quoted to have been forced to set up a Price monitering unit, it could as well start with his OWN price increases!

Simon Cassar

Jul 1st 2009, 22:57

@ A. Vassallo

PROMISES, PROMISES - Austin Gatt promised that when oil prices get lower than $85 a barrel, the prices would be adjusted!!! What happened? Prices did get low reaching less than $45 a barrel. What happened in Malta? they INCREASED!!!!! Now today the price, altough I admit it increased, is still below $85 as it reached $70 a barrel.

Douglas Bagnall

Jul 1st 2009, 22:35

Welcome to the E.U.
ENJOY.
Doug Bagnall
England

edwin formosda

Jul 1st 2009, 22:21

..........Of course it will. PL will refund through better distribution of wealth in higher benefits, less government induced taxation, better health services, better public sector education, less corruption etc. The list never ends. anything else you want to know?
M Callus (5 hours ago)............So different from the MLP we have all experienced in the past

Kenneth Bowman

Jul 1st 2009, 21:26

@E Gatt (again, sorry)

As far as I know there were never any subsidies on petrol/diesel, only taxes. so what's your point?

Galea. L

Jul 1st 2009, 21:20

L.Muscat
Because they did not want to guarantee supplies during the 1973 oil crisis that's why.

A. Vassallo

Jul 1st 2009, 21:10

@ Victor Caruana

Time will tell Victor Caruana.

PL will refund through better distribution of wealth in higher benefits WHICH? Less government induced taxation WHICH? Better health services WHICH? Better public sector education WHICH?

Less corruption - look who is talking about corruption? Do you remember the years between 1971 and 1986 - How could one obtain a telephone? How could one obtain a TV? How could one obtaint a Government house/flat? How could one get a plot? How could one get a license?

It is true Victor Caruana - THE LIST NEVER ENDS

Thanks to the Maltese people who will elect another PN Government in four years time, those things will not happen again.

anne buttigieg

Jul 1st 2009, 20:39

In Italy yesterday the electricity price went down ,here we had a rise in petrol and diesel. Keep going like this ,keep put more taxes on us and for sure the economy keep going down.
Finanzi fis sod

Anthony Magri

Jul 1st 2009, 20:30

Imposing taxation by stealth. This is not about petrol but the W & E bills based on the actual consumption that has several features different from the bill based on the estimate though including the same period sent efore the European Parliametarian elections.
Now that we received the W& E bill based on the actual consumption, the phenomenal increase in the service charge has protruded. It was uselessly kept hidden until the European parliamentary elections.
Those that have noticed the inexplicable increase now and not in the previous bill based on estimate ought to ask by e-mail the reason. Do not try to phone, you will never succeed to contact customer service. Try e-mail perhaps we will get a reply. We shall pursue them incessantly for a reply.

c. camilleri

Jul 1st 2009, 19:40

So the Labour Party continue to attack the Govt for petrol price increases while many of its level headed exponents like Profs. E Scicluna, Economist Mifsud, L Grech and others all say that this is unjust criticism as the cost of fuel has an international dimension and is beyond the control of any Govt.
Even their leader do not want to commit himself on this issue as he said this would depend on the price Enemalta pays for its imports.
Yet the L.Party continues with its diabolical and smear campaign.

P.Zammit

Jul 1st 2009, 19:36

@Galea L
Aha, this is were your foolishness in supporting Muscat is so apparent.

Jason Micallef promised on national TV that once in Gov - 4 years down the line - the PL will reduce electricity prices (does he know the price of oil ?)

Muscat on Times of Malta . Com interview with Herman Grech promised 4 years down the line that hospital fees will remain zero - even when he does not know (although widely advised) that health cost are going to explode.

So how can you promise health but cant power ?
How can MLP secretary promise reduction in prices of power in 4 years time?

Your arguments are so easy to quash because you do not think before you stick your neck out for your leader that pulls you by your nose and you go - thank you thank you, give me more give me more.

J Martinelli

Jul 1st 2009, 19:11

Galea part 1

To answer your question:

It's because I have the privilege in living in a country in which one day after an election everything becomes routine whether it's one party or the other that wins the election. We all grew to understand that the parties are not that far apart and that the sun still rises, win or lose.

I live in a country where election campaigns consist of civil debates on television where politicians respect each other and one does not purposely call the other by his first name to appear cute.

I am surrounded by citizens from the world over, white, black, yellow and all hues in between, all minding our own business, looking after our families, neighbours and strangers too, at times, without much regard to their culture, religion or political leanings and the likes of you, a negative person by nature (or habit) tend to be shunned and given minimal attention.

I live in a country where I can express an opinion and as long as it has merits, unlike the comments you come up with about everything, every time, it is listened to and not spun according to political expediencies.

Continued

J Martinelli

Jul 1st 2009, 19:04

Galea Part2

I live in a country that realizes that nothing is ever constant and although there are some, like in Malta, who think that the world owes them a living, by the grace of God they are in a minority.

I live in a country which accepts good times and bad times like it is going through at the moment with the city I live in experiencing unemployment rates of over 10% with a waiting period for receiving benefits and with a number of worked hours before even qualifying for benefits.

I live in a country that despite its wealth, still leaves many in the lurch but whatever the government is unwilling or unable to help, private individuals like myself step in and help with whatever means we can afford. Local food banks which help the poor recently appealed for food donations to tide over Summer, collected some 30,000 pounds of food in one week.

I live in a country where the main topics of conversations are never about how bad a situation is but rather how much better tomorrow can be.

Do you blame me for staying here and not risk having someone like you as my neighbour?

Albert Bezzina

Jul 1st 2009, 19:02

@R Scicluna.
Filling up in Sicily at €1.34 per litre means that you paid 19cents more than in Malta. Now do you know how much road an Italian registered car has to be driven to spend as much as the price difference between Italian and Maltese registered mid-sized new vehicles. For a €5000 price differance the Italian will have to use up 26000 litres and drive at least 260000 kms (two average car lifes). AND the secondary roads even in Sicily (so called the depressed south) are better than our main roads. Motorists will be called again to bale out the country's finances. 11000 hunters caused politicians to bend over backwards. Can't we understand that we are 230000 drivers. Representatives of Maltese motorsport please note.

Deo Catania

Jul 1st 2009, 18:59

Whatever Martinelli and other gonzipn apologists say is nonsense. Maybe the rise in prices of everything under the sun don't affect them much because they have other income.

L.Muscat

Jul 1st 2009, 18:29

Those were the days when we had Shell and Esso selling petrol and competing between themselves. Unfortunately someone sent them packing.

adrian aquilina

Jul 1st 2009, 18:08

the p.n. need to change gonzi and his useless team or call an early election..we are drowning in dept and business is bad and they keep increasing prices and taxes..i give a vote of NO confidence..time for a party that will help this country get back on its feet not kill it dead..
get rid of this capitalist .they are killing us

Galea. L

Jul 1st 2009, 18:08

E Gatt
How do you expect Dr Muscat to guarantee energy prices when the election is still fouir years away according to pn apologists when your Gonzi doed not even want to guarantee prices for next month?

And where is the MRA in all this?
Did it give its approval for the price increases?
Is it the Malta Resources Authority or the Malta Robberies Authority?

Galea. L

Jul 1st 2009, 18:04

J Martinelli
Seeing that you are ready to offer your solutions gratis et amoris Martinelli, why don't you leave Canada and come and live here so that you will be able to advise your Gonzi and maybe people will not continue to take your comments with more than a pinch of salt??

M Callus
I think that it is you that should not be ridiculous.
Did you see how oil is still less than half the price it was in September last year?
Are fuel prices half what they were last year?
How low can you go to defend the indefensible Gonzi?

E Gatt
Your PN has been in government since 1987, so why did it leave EneMalta's monopoly? Because it could milk the Maltese drivers and taxpayers that's why. But also do not forget that when we had Shell, Esso and BP and there was the 1973 oil crises, none of them guaranteed our supplies. That is why the Government nationalized the importation of energy products.

A. Vassallo
And they SHALL get it back following next election. See the queues at Mater Dejn and other places caused by Gonzi Vassallo.

J Busuttil

Jul 1st 2009, 18:02

The PL criticise. OK. But like on the W/E tarifs next month they will say that they can't bring DOWN the price because it cannot. So much for PL criticisim. Playing on the people's feeling.

v.vella

Jul 1st 2009, 18:02

@ A. Vassallo.You are making a mess on what the pl Promised.The pl promised that the
money pn wrongly took from peoples pockets regarding vechiles registration will be refunded back and people 18,000 qued in front of pl headquarters was for this reason.Nowhere did the pl before the mep elections promised anything regatdin w/e tariffs it was only a pn spin that tried translate the lp criticisim this way and this is only beleived by pn
brainwashed diehearts.Refer to all social partners and Min A.GAtt criticisim.Chairman of enemalta confirmed on television that the corp has two hundred million ewros in dept upon
which only interest are being paid and this is the real reason for w/e tariff hikes.Only god knows how many more millions in euros has pn accumulated in debt and we dont know about them.Thats why MIN A Fenech is moaning that we should be prepared that in next
budget we should expect more tax burdens.Why shouldnt the pn come clean and let us know
what the actual financial situaution is we have a right to know,but pn is always showing us one thing when actually the situation is the contrary.Steady Hands has converted to SLIPERRY HANDS.

P Ciantar

Jul 1st 2009, 17:36

Its time for resignations now. enemalta chairman Mr Tranter for the gaffe in the last electricity cut, I wonder how he is able to do all the work as charmain of several things... I think enemalta was enough. Now the regulator because when all he world is decreasing tariffs we are the only european country to increase.....resign please resign please

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 1st 2009, 17:31

May I ask those bloggers who drag Muscat and Gonzi in the discussion on the prices of fuel at the pump what these two politicians have to do with the subject ? Since when does Gonzi import expensive refined oil and Muscat inexpensive crude oil? Is there blue oil and red oil? Don't these people realise that the prices are fixed by Enemalta management in the light of the cost of crude oil and its refining? How do Gonzi and Muscat come in the equation? And as for comparisons with Cyprus, Italy UK etc, don't these bloggers realise that each country has its own set-up which determines prices? Don't these people realise that a para-statal entity is much less efficient than a private company? Don't these people know that Enemalta is saddled with too many people as a result of Labour's efforts to win the 1987 elections? And don't they realise that neither PN nor Labour will restructure Enemalta as it would mean hundreds of employees would lose their job making either party unpopular? It's about time that these bloggers stop to think and analyse before they write to praise Muscat and damn Gonzi and stop being pathetic.

E Gatt

Jul 1st 2009, 17:30

@ Kenneth Bowman

True. The difference is that in the last few months the government took a conscious and brave (and in my opinion long overdue) decision to reduce subsidies (except for the poorest 30,000 families in the case of W&E).

J Martinelli

Jul 1st 2009, 17:22

The PL, instead of carping all the time, should recommend that Enemalta imports fuel from Cyprus and reduce the prices locally by 10% across the board.

People would be extremely happy and at the same time, will leave additional profits to Enemalta by 11, 4 and 24% respectively depending on whether the fuel happens to be petrol, diesel or kerosene.

Anything less than a workable solution from the PL is just same old, same old.

B.Zammit

Jul 1st 2009, 17:17

In Belgium official prices (ceiling prices) went down today and will go down even further tomorrow 02 July but still will be more expensive than Malta. Tomorrow, prices will read Diesel €1.048/l and Petrol (ES95) €1.375/l
As a matter of fact, however, there is no monopoly and you can find Diesel at €0.885/l and Petrol (ES95) €1.195/l
http://www.carbu.be/official_prices.php

Kenneth Bowman

Jul 1st 2009, 17:11

@ E Gatt.

You quote a website showing the increase in crude oil over the last 3 months.
The same site shows that over the cost of crude oil today price is HALF as much as it was 12 months ago.

Just one simple question, is the price of fuel today half the price it was in June 2008??
I think not, so somewhere the maths is being skewed..

victor caruana

Jul 1st 2009, 17:11

A Vassallo

A Vassallo asked: Will you refund half the Water & Electricity Tariffs when you are in Government? A silly question indeed!

Of course it will. PL will refund through better distribution of wealth in higher benefits, less government induced taxation, better health services, better public sector education, less corruption etc. The list never ends. anything else you want to know?

M Callus

Jul 1st 2009, 17:11

@ Galea. L

Don't be ridiculous. Oil prices are increasing and as soon as the recession is over they will inch back to last year's levels. Oh.. but I forgot you must be still in Super Onelandia....

Carmel Cilia

Jul 1st 2009, 17:06

If Mr. A vassallo wants to know who is making people queue he should go to the Water services office at Valletta Gate. He should also go to the emergency section at Mater Dei Hospital. Miskom tisthu lil dan il pajjis gibtuh id wara u ohra quddiem.

Joseph Brincat

Jul 1st 2009, 16:52

I guess I know why all this increase in prices of petrol.
People are receiving their free energy saving lamps, others are installing solar heaters (embellishing our skyline in the absence of TV antennas) so soon the consumption bills will get lower to the detriment of Enemalta.
How much more will Enemalta increase the tariffs once the price of a barrel of oil hits the 100 dollars by winter??

E Gatt

Jul 1st 2009, 16:51

@A Galea

Yes I strongly believe in privatisation whenever possible.
PL mentioned the low price of petrol in Cyprus. It is true that fuel is cheaper in Cyprus. It is also true that in Cyprus people have a choice from these Petrol brands: EKO, Esso, Lukoil, Petrolina, Lina and Agip. For the last forty years we have just had Enemalta!

Competition works!

Also you are mistaken about the price of oil. The price of Crude Oil has shot up over the last three months – please check this site http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/commodities/143908/three_month.stm

Probably the price of oil will continue to rise once the world gets out of the international recession. Not very good news for us as oil importers.

M.Callus

Jul 1st 2009, 16:49

why go against the trend PN? You seem to prefer the pit very soon!

P.Cassar

Jul 1st 2009, 16:48

Some months ago when there was a change in price, we took months arguing about the MRA. Where is it now, is it still being paid our money?
Very lately oil prices were rock bottom, ours never were. Why?
What happened to hedgeing or forward buying as the minister likes to call it?
Last time there was hefty rise he bought a new princely car. Whose turn this time?

A. Vassallo

Jul 1st 2009, 16:47

@ Mr. / Mrs. A Zammit

It was not the Partit Nazzjonalista who mobilized the people but it was the PL who did so and made people queue in front of the PL H/Q with the promise that if JM wins the EU Parliamentary elections he will put the W/E Tariffs down immediately. Promises, Promises, Promises but NO SUBSTANCE AT ALL.

Joe Micallef

Jul 1st 2009, 16:40

@ A.Zammit (member of the seasonal apocalyptics)

Since you are well informed can you give us, lesser commoners, a comparative table of fuel prices in Italy and Malta! Also you may want to check which tariffs where recently reduced in Italy.

Sometimes it is good to leave one’s cocoon

R. Scicluna

Jul 1st 2009, 16:38

I just filled my tank in Siciliy on Sunday at €1.34/litre

g. scerri

Jul 1st 2009, 16:36

Enemalta did privatise. It sold its only profit-making section: the petroleum division. And if private works better than national industries, why are we propping up so many hotels and other industries? The problem is that our politicians - of whatever colour, - seem unable to master their briefs even in a 2x4 island. So they sell to the private sector who knows it can always count on the taxpayer to bail it out when the profits dry up. It's a win-win situation for both seller and buyer. As for the taxpayer, he also ran.

charles zammit

Jul 1st 2009, 16:35

tidher li ghaddew l-elezzjonijiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Galea

Jul 1st 2009, 16:26

@ E Gatt: So you think privatisation is the answer? Haven't you learned the Maltapost lesson? But you are obsessed by the fact that the PL does everything wrong. Then calling us moaners and negative!

@ robert agius: Maybe you live in another planet, but do know that prices went down not up!

A Zammit

Jul 1st 2009, 16:15

@ A Vassallo: Usual Blue nosed apologetics. So Italy lowers its tarrifs and your beloved PN increases it, and you instead of questioning why, go and ask nonsense! Would YOU refund them for us Mr/Mrs Vassallo? Brainwashing at its best

E Gatt

Jul 1st 2009, 16:14

Enemalta is a state-run entity dating back to the 1970s. We all know how inefficient nationalised entities are compared to private companies. According to the 2007 financial statements Enemalta employed 1,682 (including 1,132 in the electricity division) at a cost of over €34.5 million. It would be interesting to know the number of people employed by Enemalta’s counterpart in Cyprus – a country with twice the population of Malta. Malta’s size was always cited as the main reason for not privatizing Enemalta - another reason for not privatizing may be a lack of political willingness.

Would the Public (including PL/GWU) be willing to support privatizing Enemalta even if this would mean loss of jobs and greater flexibility?

Nobody likes paying higher prices but realistic prices encourage consumer responsibility and subsidised rates creates a false illusion. Does PL expect me to pay for another person’s fuel consumption and waste (and vice versa)?

After winning the EP elections Dr Muscat admitted that W&E rates cannot be guaranteed as they are dependent on the international price of oil. Is PL changing their position for the second time within a month?

robert agius

Jul 1st 2009, 16:14

meta se nifhmu li mhux il-gvern li jiddeciedi l-prezzijiet izda dan ivarja skond kif jitla u jinzel il-prezz internazzjonali?

ir-realta hi li ghandna bzonn investiment fil wind energy illum qabel ghada.

imma mbghad jekk ninvestu ovvjament se noqghodu ngergru wkoll..

Edward Farrugia

Jul 1st 2009, 16:09

@A. Vassallo

Could please explain to me how could Mr.Muscat refund the money collected and spend by Mr.Gonzi? Gonzi is collecting them so ask him to refund you.

Galea. L

Jul 1st 2009, 16:07

A. Vassallo
Don't be RIDICULOUS Vassallo.

Oil prices have dropped from the begining of the month.
Unlike Malta, energy prices have dropped in other countries.

Have a look at
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_spt_s1_d.htm

http://www.corriere.it/economia/09_giugno_30/bollette_nuova_diminuzione_6939f06c-658d-11de-853b-00144f02aabc.shtml

http://www.tgcom.mediaset.it/economia/articoli/articolo453934.shtml

Joseph Buttigieg

Jul 1st 2009, 15:58

and only just yesterday the Italian Government announced a cut in the price of Electricity, Gas and fuels. Dig a deeper grave Gonzi PN

A. Vassallo

Jul 1st 2009, 15:50

@ PL

How easy to be an armchair critic Mr. Muscat.

Will you refund all the money to us spend on petrol, diesel ect. if you are elected as Prime Minister in 2013? Will you refund half the Water & Electricity Tariffs when you are in Government? You will definitely refund the Car Taxes (even to yourself) because you have already committed himself to that. How about the above Mr. Muscat?

Lilian Fenech

Jul 1st 2009, 15:35

Remove for just one minute the political undertones of the message (since after all this is a PL statement) and you end up with what exactly every Tom, Dick and Harry in Malta is saying in his heart of hearts. How could any government profess to have a social conscience and then ignore the people's pleadings to ease their burden by increasing indirect taxation so savagely. Shame on you PN. Next time it will be much more than a landslide.

Paul Ciantar

Jul 1st 2009, 15:32

I am not labour so refrain of sending political blogs to me. But how come in italy its is the lowest price since 1968 whilst in Malta its being increased