Opposition spokesman for energy and resources Joe Mizzi said it was the government that systematically bankrupted Enemalta. It had been unable to liberalise the energy sector and only managed to hand sections of Enemalta to the private sector, creating private monopolies instead of those state owned. As a result, the private sector was enjoying the profits while the public was paying the debts.

With BB Energy being handed the prime assets of the Petrol Division, Mr Mizzi asked what measures were being taken to have security of supply.

Earlier, Mr Mizzi said that while the government set up entities such as the MRA to identify international crisis and propose strategies to face challenges, these entities did nothing, leaving Malta without any protection.

The opposition had passed on its proposals yet the government had ignored them. The government let utility prices increase drastically and then placed the burden on families and businesses. This insensitivity reflected lack of planning.

It was evident that the government was part of scandals and misappropriation of funds where technology was concerned. There was never such lack of transparency as at present. Mr Mizzi asked what held up the financial reports from being published so late in the day.

The European Commission had also stated that the government had failed in the energy sector, generation of electricity, renewable energy, environmental policy and in the generation of drinking water.

National statistics showed that revenue from the energy sector kept going up. Where did this revenue go since this was not reflected in estimates of Enemalta? The profits made by Enemalta went directly into the government’s coffers. The government preferred to spend this money on various futile projects rather than helping citizens cope with electricity, water and food prices.

It was embarrassing that Malta had to request an extension on the Marsa power station. During the negotiations, prior to Malta becoming a member of the EU, the government had presented a false picture and had acted irresponsibly by not negotiating for a realistic quota. People would now have to pay the price for fines related to non-conformity.

Referring to the interconnector, Mr Mizzi said he hoped that this project had been carefully analysed and the consequences taken into account. The opposition was not against the interconnector project but it believed the sum invested could have been better used to help people use alternative energy sources, thus reducing demand.

Labour MPs Silvio Parnis, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, and Michael Farrugia also contributed to the debate.

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