Gozo Channel chairman resigns - but denies actually ordering ferry to pick him up
Joseph Grech, chairman of Gozo Channel, resigned this afternoon but denied he had actually demanded that a ferry return to Mgarr to pick him up.
In a letter to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, Dr Grech said:
“I refer to the story carried yesterday by the Sunday Times whereby it was reported that I demanded that the ferry turn back to pick me and my family up.
"Allow me to clarify the facts and the sequence of events prior to coming to the subject of this letter.
"First of all, the article in question incorrectly reported that I was with my family, when I was in fact travelling alone. While possibly being considered a moot point, it is important for me to set the record straight, not to have my family unnecessarily dragged into this matter.
"As correctly reported in the Times, I arrived at the quay aiming to catch the 19.30 ferry, being unfortunately and inexcusably unaware that the new timetable, in effect since just a few days, meant that the ferry’s scheduled departure time was 19.15.
"On the basis of this mistaken impression, I thought that the ferry had departed earlier than scheduled and immediately queried and challenged what I believed was an early departure. I am sure that you understand that on the basis of my mistaken impression, a departure earlier than scheduled would have meant poor customer service, resulting in leaving commuters stranded. My immediate indignant communication meant that the ferry, which had only just left the quay and was just a few metres out, was stopped, and waited for the waters to settle to come back.
"By the time the error in my perception of the timetable was pointed out to me, it was too later and the ferry had already docked again, and myself and all other cars present were boarded.
"This is in no way an attempt on my part to excuse or justify the matter and is solely aimed at correcting the impression that I ordered the ferry turned back on a whim, or out of personal convenience.
"In fact, understanding the embarrassment that such an occurrence can cause for all concerned, I see no other option but to tender my resignation from the position of Chairman of Gozo Channel Company Limited.
"I am taking this step with no little regret, as my experience with the company and working with your good self, has been positive in the extreme.
"I thank you for the trust you showed in me to date, and also express my regret for any embarrassment this incident may have caused.”
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j brincat
Nov 23rd 2011, 13:10
@Peter Borg
Quote: 'Oh so he didn't actually order the ferry back. Why didn't he say so yesterday, right away ?'
And didn't the Captain tell him they are turning back? All he could have said 'No, Sir, I lead by example' Did he?
(jb)
Victor Laiviera
Nov 23rd 2011, 08:47
In a way, I can sympathise with Chairman Grech. It must be pretty galling to be ticked off about proper behaviour by a Minister who saw nothing wrong in accepting free air flights and free football match tickets from a businessman who had an interest in a tender he was about to adjudicate. Or who – if the allegations made are true – accepted to have renovation work done on his house as “a favour”.
Patrick Micallef
Nov 22nd 2011, 20:26
If the Gozo channel chairman does not know the ferry times it makes you wonder how seriously he took his position, and how responsably he carried out his duties. VIVA the title and the pay that goes with it. Wise use of pulic funds.
Lisa Young
Nov 23rd 2011, 15:02
He's the chairman and not the administrator. His job is to make sure the ocmpany functions correctly and not memoris the timetable. He is also human and everyone forgets or makes a mistake
gino cauchi cauchi
Nov 22nd 2011, 18:14
The joke of Christmas should go to the operations Manager of gozo channel. When asked about the incident of the chairman, he got the worlds from Manoel of Fawlty Towers, while trying to defend his boss Basil.I KNOW NOTHING, I KNOW NOTHING.
Is it a case of Fawlty Towers of the SEAS.!!!
Michael Camileri
Nov 22nd 2011, 15:54
Im sorry Mr Chairman, your explanation does not wash. You are calling your staff liers? Maybe they should not be employed.
If true, you did not act professionally by letting the ferry continue (thus not wasting time and Money - imagine the amount of fuel and time cost).
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2011, 14:17
The captain should be help responsible too, for being an idiot
Konrad Scicluna
Nov 22nd 2011, 18:41
Why should the captain or operations manager resign?
What the captain did was follow orders given by his superiours. These orders did not jeopardise safety in any way so I beleive the captain did the right thing. In fact if he didn't do that, he would have probably been accused of insubordination.
Gozo Channel should have better communications with people and the media but I honestly see the matter closed with the resignation of the Dr. Grech.
Julian Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:24
Hallina Dot. You need a new watch and an updated diary and a new job.
Peter Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:31
Oh so he didn't actually order the ferry back. Why didn't he say so yesterday, right away ?
Victor Laiviera
Nov 22nd 2011, 11:25
It takes time to work out a Cunning Plan. Ask Baldrick.
John J Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:18
hope the minister refuses his resignation, the story was portrayed differently....giving the impression that the ship returned while it was half way through the journey for the sake of arriving with his wife in time for a dinner!!!!!......................come on ....he was acting in the interest of the company although not not correctly informed....and due to the fact that the ship was still at the quay .....the workers supported him...................
Dennis Zammit
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:18
Well said once again Mr Borg.
Mr Minister . . . please do the right thing. Keep him on board !! (but in his office on land)
Victor Laiviera
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:31
You are very easily satisfied - and ready to believe facile excuses.
Charles Sammut
Nov 22nd 2011, 12:22
"hope the minister refuses his resignation" .....are you serious??!!
According to grech "the ferry, which had only just left the quay and was just a few metres out"...so,was the ferry still at the quay ( your words ) or out of the quay. Regardless, once the doors were up and the engines running, grech should have waited for the next ferry out. All he had to do was phone his wife and tell her to keep his dinner warm.
And how, may I ask was "he acting in the interest of the company"?
It is your,my and his responsibility to be familiar with the new timetable!
...and the boat rolls on...and the boat rolls on.......
Dunstan Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:06
Dear Mr Chairmam do you think that were are a bunch of fool's?........Halina bill kwiet jekk jogbook il power u l=poter dak li jaghmilek jitlalek ghall rasek Sur Chairman.
John Micallef
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:03
He resigned?
Perhaps he would prefer the tunnel then.
Like Daniel Tabone said...at least he acted like a gentleman. Wish others could follow suit.
Neville Debattista
Nov 23rd 2011, 12:24
@Chairman Gozo Channel. Any person in his right frame of mind would never ever beleive your story. Even if we had to do so and your story were to be true then it would prove yourself to be as being extemely incompetent and erroneous . This silly story of yours which you foolishly concocted in order to save your skin has only been rubbing salt on your wounds.
D. Xerri
Nov 22nd 2011, 08:36
Finally Somone accountable for his management and for his position ! Surely not at all the same can be said for certain people in parliament doing a failure after another - incompetence at its best plus ruining millions and doing all and whatever it takes to stay in power !
Daniela Tabone
Nov 22nd 2011, 07:59
What he did was unacceptable. But at least he acted like a gentleman and resigned. Hope others will follow his footsteps.
j brincat
Nov 22nd 2011, 07:53
He did not have another option!
(jb)
Robert Massa
Nov 22nd 2011, 07:33
Proset Dr. Grech tas-serjeta li ilqajt din l-isfida. Hekk ghandhom isiru l-affarijiet meta kullhadd jefa ir-responsabiltajiet tieghu !
Mr D Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 08:52
Ftit ohra u ttih Gieh ir-Republika! Ma nahsibx li huwa kas ta "proset".
Peter McKing
Nov 22nd 2011, 07:14
What sort of a chairman is this who does not know that such an important thing as that a winter time table is in place for the company he is responsible for? Is it allowed to have some doubts about the wunderful sounding explanation of Dr Grech? The selfless chairman only wanted to help the poor customers and now gets sort of fired himself? Good stuff for a fairytale!
John J Borg
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:53
the timetable only varies by a few minutes.....the chairman does not have to remember all the times by heart...he knows that there is a winter timetable in place but probably there was a specific time of trip he used to take and arriving in time and seeing the ship already closed and about to leave sparked his enquiry.......probably the crew on the quay informed the captain by radio that the chairman was there and before the mistake was clarified the captain had already docked again.....its the media hype around this incident that has portrayed things out of proportion!!!
Jonathan Deeley
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:08
Here here !
Dennis Zammit
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:16
Well said John J Borg.
You couldn't have explained it better.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 22nd 2011, 10:17
@ John J Borg
Would you have been so understanding if the incident had happened in "other times"?
Dennis Zammit
Nov 22nd 2011, 05:56
Regretfully, well done Dr Grech.
I think that besides the Chairman, the Operations Manager should follow suit.
When the Times asked the Operations Manager, George Borg to confirm the information, he insisted he knew nothing – so if the Chairman did not request the ferry to be turned back, and the Operations Manager George Borg did not know anything, the Operations Manger should be told to resign too once he knew nothing about the ferry situation.
Was he just joking or was he dumb?
Mr Borg, take example from your former Chairman and resign to show the public you care.
John F. Galea
Nov 22nd 2011, 05:49
Dr. Joseph Grech, a true gentleman to the core. Now we expect the media to publicly apologise for the gross error in dragging and tarnishing his family, thereby further aggrieveting the incident.
This is a good lesson to all and sundry who in one way or another do not live up to the expectations in the proper execution of their onus.
Others in high offices, who are faced with similar embarassing situations, should emulate the decison taken by the Gozo ferry chairman. Well done to said gentleman for taking the honourable way out.
Cecil Herbert Jones
Nov 22nd 2011, 01:36
I was pretty disgusted when I read the article in the Times. However, in view of how facts actually transpired, I see no reason why Minister Tonio Fenech should accept his resignation. Surely he can see that the media ran wild too soon. This is possibly the result of an arrogant administration whose reputation is now rubbing off on all who genuinely do the right thing. And albeit Dr Grech did the right thing to tender his resignation, it is up to the Minister to do the right thing and refuse it.
Francesca Abela
Nov 22nd 2011, 00:04
This was the right thing to do, and the resignation was accepted as also was the correct thing to to. Now funnily enough the man who caused total chaos in the Public transport system, was apparently ' not allowed ' to resign by his Minister who also refused to resign. Tells you a lot doesn't it??
John Azzopoardi
Nov 21st 2011, 23:08
case closed. the people have spoken.
Konrad Scicluna
Nov 21st 2011, 22:33
Without entering in the merits of this case it is worth nothing what Dr, Grech stated in his letter of resignation.
"On the basis of this mistaken impression, I thought that the ferry had departed earlier than scheduled and immediately queried and challenged what I believed was an early departure. I am sure that you understand that on the basis of my mistaken impression, a departure earlier than scheduled would have meant poor customer service, resulting in leaving commuters stranded"
I agree with him perfectly. Unfortuntely this is what happens when Gozo Channel decides to operate extra trips at the expense of the scheduled departures. Although I undestand that these extra trips are important they should be performed by the third ferry so as not to disrupt the company's timetable.
In view of what happened I beleive that Dr Grech did the right to tender his resignation and he should be commended for doing so. Let us hope that others will follow this example.
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:12
Who are the others you got someone in mind?
Konrad Scicluna
Nov 22nd 2011, 17:43
@Mr Giordimaina
Jus to make myself clear, I was not referring to anyone in particular and certainly not anyone at Gozo Channel over this incident.
Every country needs responsible people capable of taking decisions, to be at the helm of various companies and government entities and they should be well remunerated for their work, effort and time they put in. The problem with this country is that more often than not, when a mistake does happen nobody seems to be held accountable. I beleive this is wrong. Mentaltiesi need to be changed and the least a person can do is assume responsibility and tender his/her resignation.
CHARLES VELLA
Nov 21st 2011, 21:59
If the company l work for is in the situation of air Malta, what will happen to us. Do our management and government give us the same opportunity. I do pay taxes heq heq!!!!!!!!!
Claire Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 21:27
ghamel haga tajba....irezenja
Paul Smith
Nov 21st 2011, 21:15
He says "and myself and all other cars present were boarded." I thought there was only 1 other car. How to spin!!
D. A . Agius
Nov 21st 2011, 21:07
ehmm... maybe the new chairman should invest in a sign with the timetable on it in the vicinity of the ferry departure point.
Maybe someone else should actually resign on the point that the terminal has been a construction site for the better part of the last 15 years! That definitely provoked more suffering than this chairman did.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 21st 2011, 20:32
Done the honourable thing????????????? He only resigned following intense media pressure. The honourable thing would have been to resign instantly. However, at least he resigned. There are others who have committed great "buzullotti" and "frejjeg" ..... and they are given standing ovations at political rallies. As for your quip about "Elves" (i.e. an archaic, outdated, copied and totally senseless word), it seems that those you describe as "Elves" are multiplying by the minute judging by the increasing rate of auto-goals and suicidal kamikazi actions by the dwindling PN forces. As American President Franklin Roosevelt aptly said, why bother to attack your opponents when they are all busily committing suicide or killing each other off!
ALBERT FENECH
Qawra
Gordon Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 19:41
Dr.Grech acted as a gentleman. I hope that this should be an exampleon how one must behave in similar occasions.
Peter Murray
Nov 21st 2011, 21:03
Gentlemen don't ever need to resign
Carmel Xuereb
Nov 22nd 2011, 06:36
the government minister should do the same as Dr. Grech when they are in the same situation. Take note Fenech, Gatt etc, etc.
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:15
You didnt have much gentleman in your party then.I dont remember any resiegn in your time.
Manuel Mangani
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:23
Mr. Murray, being a gentleman does not make one infallible. We all make mistakes. Gentlemen take responsibility for the errors they commit.
Joseph Spiteri
Nov 21st 2011, 18:46
I had earlier criticised the Chairman for his arrogance. Today. I commend him for his action as he admitted his lack of knowledge on the winter timetable and did the honorable thing.
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 18:24
This is the way things should be done !! if only members of parliament would see the light !
edward ciantar
Nov 22nd 2011, 09:35
You'd have half a parliament with the resignations.
Mr Chris Agius
Nov 21st 2011, 18:19
My earlier post condemned Dr. Grech's reckless behaviour. Now I must say that he acted as a gentleman should, by handing in his resignation and taking the honourable way out.
Patrick Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 18:10
So was the captain responsible?
Frans Aguis
Nov 21st 2011, 18:07
Well at least he had the decency to resign
Eve Axiaq
Nov 21st 2011, 17:49
Prosit ex chairman hekk jaghmlu l-irgiel. Hemm bzonn aktar nies bhalek li verament jerfghu r- responsabilita u mhux isahhnu s- siggu jew jiehdu 80K paga u performance bonouses biss!
Dunstan Crockford
Nov 21st 2011, 17:48
Do the Marines still exist?
Victor Laiviera
Nov 21st 2011, 20:03
They died laughing.
Zachary Stewart
Nov 21st 2011, 17:47
This is what happens when you shout first and ask questions later. Good riddance.
Saviour Cachia
Nov 21st 2011, 17:45
Justice is done and Hon. Tonio Fenech had to kiss the hands that maybe he wished it was cut off. Election exigency..but some how the blindfolded eye of the statue of justice performed its duty.
Rocco Camilleri
Nov 21st 2011, 17:40
We wait and see to see the next step by the Minister Tonio Fenech.
Peter Bonnici
Nov 21st 2011, 17:38
He's done the right thing and resigned. End of story.
B Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 17:35
"a departure earlier than scheduled would have meant poor customer service, resulting in leaving commuters stranded." Good one! So from all the Gozo Channel employees attending the waiting area no one informed you about the winter timetable?
Charmaine Marmara'
Nov 21st 2011, 17:28
and how can the chairman not know the time of the ferries ? oh come on mela mnalla kont hemm sur ex chairman !!!
Josephine Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 17:24
Does Dr Grech wants the public to be taken for a ride re the customer service issue - mur orqod trid - mela kulhadd cucc illum??? b'min trid tidhak???
John Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 17:24
Now there you are........a real cool excuse.....so whats next now.......i do hope ure not appionted Chairman of Air MAlta now...........
Joseph Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 17:36
Never say never, after all both the Ferry and Air Malta are under the direction of Minister Tonio Fenech?
Joseph Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 17:20
So as I suspected, Mr Grech resigned on his own. How convenient for him and Minister Tonio Fenech? One question remains. Now that he chose to resign instead of being fired, does he keep his perks and retirement benefits? This proves one more time how much corruption we have in our Government. What ever happened to the Code of Ethics? I forgot, there was never one in place, especially for politicians.
Alfred E. Zahra
Nov 21st 2011, 17:43
Chairmen of government companies do not have retirement benefits. Nor do they retain any 'perks' as claimed by you. You are therefore mistaken in your allegation about corruption.
Mr Robert Agius
Nov 21st 2011, 17:16
Now that he's done the honourable thing will the Elves go back to their hole?
Victor Laiviera
Nov 21st 2011, 17:22
Tinstema' ftit maħruq, Sur Agius :)
J Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 17:40
Sur Laiviera mahruqin aktar kienu il-passaggieri ta fuq il vapur u l-arjuplan li halla jistenna Joseph.
I. Cilia
Nov 21st 2011, 22:24
Dan ghallinqas irrezenja u ghamel apolgoija.
Joseph and family mhux talli ghadu hemm li lanqas apologija ma ghamel...
Josephine Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 17:15
That is the way forward - resign and same should be with whoever abuses of his post which is after all lended to same by the general public who is not to be taken for a ride.
Victor Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 20:02
Like when J, left a whole [lane load of people waiting?
A C
Nov 21st 2011, 17:14
Mela hekk...issa li irrid nara huwa jergax jiehu xi post ta Chairman f'xi kumpanija ohra tal Gvern!
Joseph Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 17:12
If this incident by Mr Grech really happened and can be proven, then Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has no choice but to fire this man. This is pure arrogance and extreme abuse of power by this CEO. NO, he should not be given the chance to resign and keep all the perks and benefits. Nobody should have that kind of power, nobody. The Ferry is a public service and not a taxi that you can summon to your beg and call. Minister Tonio Fenech do the right thing and fire this man. I wonder if that ferry would turn back to pick us up if we were late arriving at the Pier? I doubt that very much. Apology accepted, and now you are fired. Do something right for a change Minister, or your own resignation will be forthcoming, or the PM might have to take over your duties?
John Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 17:12
Great ...you see...public pressure does provide results........whose next!
Joseph Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 17:44
It is about time the citizens are taken seriously and paid attention to. Nobody is above the law, not even Politicians and Government CEO's. It is about time us Maltese stop being so submissive and start speaking up for what is right and stop asking Why? instead of asking How High?
Franky Jones
Nov 21st 2011, 17:10
swietek olja gbin biex ma tistenniex nofs siegha lol
B Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 17:08
Wait for what?...a better excuse?
Philip Grima
Nov 21st 2011, 17:01
Intolerable behavior!! Dr.Grech do the sensible thing and resign. Minister Fenech don't wait for ever.
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 21st 2011, 16:54
"A chairman cannot be disciplined, such as by being taken before a board and having a week's salary deducted"
Can he be fired? I guess yes!! Then what is the Finance Minister waiting? Trying to find him a job somewhere to ensure he does not suffer to much!! I hope that for the good of Malta this person does not get another job in the government!!
Mr Charles Cardona
Nov 21st 2011, 16:54
Mela issa jirizenja min Chairman tal Gozo Channel u jitpogha chairmanta xi azjenda ohra . B'minn irrid jaddi iz zmien ? Iz zmien tal buzulotti ghadda u il poplu ma ghadux joibla kollox sur gvern.
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Nov 21st 2011, 16:52
Sack him. Show him who is the boss.
Mr Peter Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 16:50
Should Joseph Muscat resign as well because he had held up an Emirates Flight last May? Or is it "two weights and two measures?"
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100523/local/flight-delayed-after-muscats-late-arrival.308567
Ramon Casha
Nov 21st 2011, 17:07
Is Joseph Muscat a CEO or director or occupies another high position within Emirates?
Did Joseph Muscat contact the pilot and give him/her orders?
Did the plane take off then circle back to pick up Joseph Muscat?
If the answer to any of those is "no", then there is no comparison.
Mario Grima
Nov 21st 2011, 17:11
Please Mr. Vella do not mix 'hass with b...." or else tell us another joke!!!!
J Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 17:14
Ramona he is more the Leader of the opposition Prime Minister in waiting.
J Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 17:15
My apologies I meant Ramon.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 21st 2011, 17:20
Thallatx- Mr Vella - there is no comparison. Waiting is not turning back and the flight waited because the airline wanted it to - Muscat has no authority to order them to wait.
mark borg
Nov 21st 2011, 17:23
Do not add insult to injury by writing moronic comments, as your case (if it could be called so) is IRRELEVANT and you are not convincing anyone, but some diehard blue blood, currently living it off in some cushy job at the tax payer’s expense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
j. Mifsud
Nov 21st 2011, 17:27
Joseph Muscat and family arrived Late for a flight last Wednesday.
John Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 16:49
Pajjiz tal-mickey mouse.........jew jirrezenja fl-ahhar! Warrab ....
Mark Anthony Cassar
Nov 21st 2011, 16:43
Apology not accepted, this mix of arrogance and abuse of power should not be tolerated. Please resign and vacate your seat for more a hopefully more responsible chairman.
Paul Caruana
Nov 21st 2011, 16:41
As Maximillian Ciantar would put it, " X'buzulliti dawn?"
And the band played on.......
B Attard
Nov 21st 2011, 16:36
Biex tara kemm hu up to date ic-chairman qas jaf li nbidlu l-hinijiet ghal l-iskeda xitwija tal-kumpanija li jmexxi. Ahseb u ara affarijiet aktar serji..........NO Wonder!!!!! l-affarijiet jitkellmu wahedhom pero donnu kollox accettat f'dil-gzira fejn jidhlu certi persuni... Mhux ta b'xejn qatt ma niehdu ruh.
Anthony Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 16:33
apologies not accepted
First he should refund the cost
second he should resign
Paul Borg
Nov 21st 2011, 16:32
Apology not accepted sir ! it should have been followed by a resigntation and dinner at the Minister's
Charmaine Marmara'
Nov 21st 2011, 17:14
good one LOL
Adriano Spiteri
Nov 21st 2011, 16:31
The EU claims that the Arriva pricing is discriminatory
Isn't the Gozo channel pricing discriminatory as well?
Mr Joseph Grech's arrogance must have been a burden to all passengers. It is a blatant abuse of power.
He should be fired.
Dennis Zammit
Nov 21st 2011, 16:29
If he is doing his job good enough, then he shouldn't be asked to resign and neither resign.
He should only be given a verbal call.
The country cannot loose its best assets even if they do an unexplainable fuckup.
A Dimech
Nov 21st 2011, 16:38
sure if he was so "talentful", he wouldn't have done something like that though, would he?
How do you measure talent? To me this episode alone shows gross missjudgement, apart of course from arrogance.....
Peter Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 17:04
If this Chairman resigns, it doesn't mean that the country is losing its best assets. I'm sure that there are other persons who are capable of doing this particular Chairman's job. If he is man enough, he should step down. By the way, if the minister DOES fire him, he would be sending a message that he will not tolerate "unexplainable fuckups"!
M Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 17:15
U hallina Dennis, qassata bhal dik tghidlu tajjeb fuq xogholu, dak immatur u baqalu hafna x’jitaghlem mhux
billi bid-dottorat jew ghax ghajnejh blu b’hal tieghek.
Charles Micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 16:27
Gozo Channel Chairman is following the Goverment's method of doing things, that is to rule with arrogance!
J Busuttil
Nov 21st 2011, 16:45
Is leaving a full load of passengers waiting for nearly an hour arrogance????
PAUL BUSUTTIL
Nov 21st 2011, 16:22
The Finance Ministry, which is responsible for Gozo Channel, told The Sunday Times that Dr Grech had apologised and would like to extend his apologies to Gozo Channel customers.
Apologies NOT ACCEPTED, after all it is so easy to utter these useless words especially when we have heard them so many times before.
Josephine Muscat
Nov 21st 2011, 16:19
There is no other solution to this mess but the RESIGNATION of Dr Grech - he is a pure example of mis-management - GO HOME
Michael Hudson
Nov 21st 2011, 16:15
Couldn't he get a harbour air flight or is it too expensive for him???? Ha Ha, I don't blame him, he's doing like the goverment that appointed him, I'VE GOT THE POWER.
Bernard Storace
Nov 21st 2011, 16:12
So, while the Minister waits....the chairman dallies...u kulhadd jaghmel li irid.
J Portelli
Nov 21st 2011, 16:06
BTW how old is this guy? He looks like he's in his early thirties. Shouldn't a chaiman of a company being experinced "Gray haired and seasoned been around the block sort of speak" I mean what's his claim to fame -Oh that's right he's the arrogant incomptent, who called back a ferry for his presonal use.
A Dimech
Nov 21st 2011, 16:17
age has nothing to do with it. it is arrogance an ignorance which are the issues.
Charles Micallef
Nov 21st 2011, 16:31
In Malta it is a matter of what polical party club affiliation one holds, look at what ruined Air Malta over the past 20 years, and you will find the answer!
James Dewar
Nov 21st 2011, 16:32
Don't agree re the prerequisite description for a company chairman! Look at the UK MP's and Lords in the UK who fiddled their expenses, some of them fit the description perfectly!! Cheeky fellow though " return my ship"! And he didn't even know the winter timetable had commenced!! ?? He does need to resign.
mark borg
Nov 21st 2011, 17:14
You do not need any grey hair or receding hairline to be a chairman under this administration...you just need to have blue blood and well connected within the klikka, that is all you would need in your resume...take a look around you and see for yourself....You could have your hair as white as George Clooney or Richard Gere has, but if you are not blue, you could never be anything within the public sector .
Mr Anthony Briffa
Nov 21st 2011, 16:03
This chairman must either resign before the day is over or the minister should fire him instead. This is not the time to accept apologies. He must go and never ever given a similar appointment. Dr. Grech has already spent one day too much in this seat.
A Dimech
Nov 21st 2011, 16:02
heating up again - another act in the teledrama "par idejn sodi"
Mr Marcel Dingli
Nov 21st 2011, 16:00
Well at least he apologised; much more than any others have done. However, no more waiting !! We waited and waited; waited for xoghol gustizzja and liberta only to experience a worse and more bitter time. Sorry Mr Fenech, we have waited by far too much. We have experinced both Labour and your government. Better to be kicked in the teeth than stabbed in the back !!
George Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 15:57
Ara hawn partita kristjani f'dal-pajjiz. Kulhadd irid ir-rizenja tac-chairman tal-Gozo channel. Veru ghamel zball ikrah ghax qatt ma messu ghamel li ghamel. Imma min qatt m'ghamel zball jitfa l-ewwel gebla. L-izbalji taghna nostruhom imma ta haddiehor nesponuhom u rridu r-rizenji. X'se niehdu b'daqshekk? Jien ma nafux lil dan ic-chairman imma hafna jafuh sew u jixtiequlu l-gid milli jidher!!
Mr Ernest Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 15:55
jew iwarrab hu jew warrbuh intom min hemm...x'qed tistennew!!!...qabel ma Muscat idahhak.
victor bonello
Nov 21st 2011, 15:55
lol... who was the guy in MEPA? he got rocketed not fired... that was Maltese History in the making..
And what about the MITA , CEO.. who did not even bother about MEPA.... pajjiz tal mickey mouse
George Calleja
Nov 21st 2011, 15:53
Ara veru kristjani dawk kollha li qed jitolbu ghar-rizenja tac-chairman tal-Gozo Channel. Veru ghamel zball ghax qatt ma messu ghamel li ghamel imma min ma jizbaljax jitfa l-ewwel gebla. Hawn min jiehu gost bl-izbalji ta haddiehor imma tieghu ma jarahomx. Jien ma nafux lil dan ic-chairman imma jidher li hawn hafna li jixtiequlu l-gid. B'hekk nedhew f'dan il-pajjiz!! L-ebda apologija mhi bizzejjed
B Grech
Nov 21st 2011, 17:20
vera zball miskin! Ried imur jiekol u b'indifferenza ghal min kien fuq il-vapur biex imur l airport, jew xi qadja b'tal-linja ordna l Kaptan jdur ghalih! Proset kemm hu ta' l-affariji tieghu! Ija jien il-gebla nixhita!
David Farrugia
Nov 21st 2011, 15:50
wisq probabbli xi bazuzlu tar-regina t' Ghawdex.
Anthony Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2011, 15:41
But the Chairman didn't want to wait..!
Christine Vella
Nov 21st 2011, 16:50
SO TRUE