BWSC technicians lock power station computers in dispute with Enemalta
BWSC personnel have locked computer systems and effectively disabled the power station extension in Delimara because of a dispute with Enemalta over the testing procedure, Labour MP Joe Mizzi said in Parliament today.
He said the systems were locked on Wednesday but the people had not been told anything by the government.
Speaking on the adjournment, Mr Mizzi said that the dispute arose after the newly-repaired steam turbine was installed and the power station was switched on.
It appeared that Enemalta wanted the reliability tests to start afresh while BWSC wanted a resumption from the point where they were halted when the fault in the steam turbine developed.
As a result, the BWSC technicians locked the computers and turned off the extension once more.
Furthermore, it appeared that some vibration had been detected in the turbine, Mr Mizzi said. The BWSC technicians were saying that the issue had been resolved, but, Enemalta should consider asking for a replacement turbine, Mr Mizzi said.
Problems regarding leakage from the emissions abatement system were also persisting.
The Labour MP said that he had asked the Auditor General to delve into the issue as soon as possible to avoid a situation where the country was burdened with undue costs. The people could not afford to pay for the mistakes of others, he said.
Malta should not end up with a power station which had already been paid for but which could not be used.
This would also mean continued use of the Marsa power station, with resultant fines for excessive emissions and a heavier fuel bill.
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Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 27th 2012, 15:57
Minn jaf xi storja 'sensazzjonali' qed ihejjilna Dr.Gonzi . Fuq kollox Gonzi stess qal li jidiletta hafna kif izarma ( jarma ?) il-kompjuters ,
Edward Mallia
Nov 27th 2012, 12:56
Vibration could have nothing to do with the turbine itself but with its mounting. An improperly mounted new one could still have "vibrations". No doubt BWSC do not want to do another 30-day test on the 8 engines; this had been completed when the steam turbine broke down. But Enemalta might want to get near to their fraudulent test schedule: 24hr/day for 240days, it being near election time.
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Nov 27th 2012, 12:37
With most of the comments here one can easily come to the conclusion that “Heads I win, tails you lose” syndrome!
JC.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 27th 2012, 12:35
Biex qed tiskantaw ! Gonzi ilu aktar minn sena ghaddej , mhux biss fuq 'puncture', imma ghall xi zmien minajr LICENZJA u bzonn qawwi ta' tiswija u 'service' qabel ma jidhol, ghall-VRT !
...........X'aktarx NARAW ......'Skrappjatura'.
Patrick Zahra
Nov 27th 2012, 11:28
No Minister Gatt you don't have to resign we got used to your blunders now, the problem is they that they are so expensive and we have to pay the price, while the blue eyed boys make the profit!
m. borg (slm)
Nov 27th 2012, 10:55
Good thing that Joseph Muscat held those involved accountable when things change otherwise eneMalta would have just agreed to BWSC terms.
Those involved have to shoulder responsability and this not only includes the ministeries involved but also the engineers and those commissioning the project.
The days of "Not ME" are over.
Austin grech
Nov 27th 2012, 11:36
I agree 100 per cent. People involved should shoulder the cost .
Paul Bajada
Nov 27th 2012, 10:52
And "our" government paid the 157 Million Euros in advance. For all I know, this could be a repeat of the AC Cobra saga. What precautions did GonziPN take?
E. Azzopardi
Nov 27th 2012, 10:35
A very good choice indeed. When something goes wrong with the product you bought, the seller does his very utmost to make his client happy and will not stop before the product is working perfectly.
A very good choice indeed!! And time is running out.
E Schembri
Nov 27th 2012, 11:08
That is why you DON'T pay in full before you have a working and tested product!
Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 27th 2012, 10:04
Only one question comes to mind... Why is BWSC refusing to start testing from scratch??
Edward Mallia
Nov 27th 2012, 12:37
That will involve 30 days full running of the 8 engines and the steam turbine. The later went wrong at the end of the final testing period. But after all, as Enemalta sold the fairy tale to the public that they were going to run the Extension for 24hrs/day for 240days -- no objection from BWSC then-- perhaps they want to keep their "promise" now, it being near election time.
A Vella
Nov 27th 2012, 09:37
The irresponsibility and immaturity of Joe Mizzi has no limits. Speaking of whom, Joe will you keep your promise that if you are made Minister you will tell us where to strike oil?
A. Xuereb
Nov 27th 2012, 09:51
In what way is Hon Mizzi being immature and irresponsible? Dont we have a right to know what is really going on ?
Mario Camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 10:14
@A Vella,
Did you or did you not contribute to this new BWSC newly built power station extension? If you did not, then you have no right to comment. If you did, then I'm sure that like all others you would want to know where your monies are being invested, thereby you would want to know of any returns. Hon Mizzi is defending you and your interests hence he's more responsible than you!!
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Nov 27th 2012, 10:19
@ A vella
Ma nafx ehh kif liswed tighdulu abjad u l abjad tidghulu iswed.
Re: striking oil, if I where you I would trust him my vote than I would be free to crtisize him.
A Vella
Nov 27th 2012, 10:38
I did contribute the maximum share possible Mario, Joe Mizzi is a true amateur, he has a contact on the ground and at the first mishap he goes in parliament trying to impress how much he knows.
Just give it time, when you work difficulties occur you know!
Creating fairy tales over each mishap that happens will not serve for anything productive except fuel more Gem Gem.
Mario Camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 12:04
@A Vella,
The issue isn't J Mizzi and his source but the govt's good governance and transparency. It's not J Mizzi who's fooling the whole nation but the govt who is doing so by public coffers' squandering. If it wasn't for someone like J Mizzi and the PL we would be left in limbo. "Creating fairy tales over each mishap that happens will not serve for anything productive"? that's really cheap!!
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 27th 2012, 12:05
@a.vella
''Joe Mizzi is a true amateur,'' And what he said about the BWSC was always right. Now tell me who is the true amateur, you or Mizzi?
Eddy Privitera
Nov 27th 2012, 17:11
A. Vella: Had it not been for Hon.Joe Mizzi we would have known nothing about the big problems the BWSC plant is having.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 27th 2012, 20:44
Irresponsibility and immaturity ,and I would add incompetence are undoubtedly the HALLMARK and in my opinion synonymous of THIS tottering,weak Gonzipn Administration , if it can be so called !
I'm openly saying this as a disgruntled ex-PN staunch '18year' activist , least you run to false judgements or conclusions ,
Angelo Polidano
Nov 27th 2012, 09:16
We must be the laughing stock of Europe if what is being said by Mr. Joe Mizzi is true. Hasn't a contract been signed, and what does this contract stipulate? Do certain people need spoon feeding? If so they should not be in their job.
Joseph Zammit
Nov 27th 2012, 08:52
I am no longer impressed with the mess this government is doing. This did not happen under Eddie Fenech Adami. The elections within the PN should be also for the Priminister and not only the deputy.
pat muscat
Nov 27th 2012, 08:50
If this is true the Minister responsible should resign.
Angelo Polidano
Nov 27th 2012, 10:52
And what if it is not true? Will Mr. Mizzi give up once and for all?
saviour frendo
Nov 27th 2012, 08:03
I say WOW and WOW again. Tonio Fenech for deputy leader and after the election as pn leader. If he manages Malta the way he managed the power station issue we will be the best and first on list in the EU.
Obviously if you START FROM THE BOTTOM.
Mr J Xerri
Nov 27th 2012, 07:48
It was thanks to this 'ONE person parlament speech' that the authorities admitted to the general public that this turbine was damaged and needed extensive repair. So do you suggest that people like Mr Mizzi should keep mum when such incidents occur?
B Ellul
Nov 27th 2012, 08:05
And do you think that the Enemalta engineers would not have handled this problem themselves. Mizzi all he did was take (try to) political advantage from this incident and that's all.... by talking in public did the issue get resolved? NO it didn't, it's getting worked on simply because that's how things should be done! And after all now that you know what are you doing?
Eve Axiaq
Nov 27th 2012, 09:16
@ Ellul. Yes its a political issue because the government chose to pay BWSC prior being certified. There is only 8 million euros left to be paid which are peanuts near the huge lump payments already done.
B Ellul
Nov 27th 2012, 09:34
Eve. You're wrong. 8 million left + the BANK GAURANTEES. Check the fact before....
Mario Camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 10:18
@Ellul,
What guarantees??? Maybe you missed this bit ....."It appeared that Enemalta wanted the reliability tests to start afresh while BWSC wanted a resumption from the point where they were halted when the fault in the steam turbine developed"
B Ellul
Nov 27th 2012, 07:28
As Usual.... from a ONE person parlament speech, the usual experts below are already drawing their conclusions!
The PL will be saving in million of euros on consultants simply by looging on this portal and reading the comments!
Paul Bajada
Nov 27th 2012, 07:24
Only for this mess alone, the GonziPN government should resign en masse and be held personally responsible for the 157 Million euros together with the loss of business this could lead the country through!
Now we are reaping the fruit of the insistence from the government side to use BWSC and protect its decision at all costs! Now we are reaping the fruit of using the yellow pages! Shame!
Paul Caruana
Nov 27th 2012, 07:22
Oh Oh....looks like we paid in full for a "prototype" dud. Now how do we get our money back? Perhaps we should re employ the ex enemalta official turned BWSC middleman to handle this?
Mark Agius
Nov 27th 2012, 07:18
BWSC full payment, u kuntratturi Maltin zghar jithallew sentejn jew iktar. Get a full refund and get a couple of GE turbines. Hallikom min Zaren
A. MICALLEF
Nov 27th 2012, 07:18
Another bravura by the new PN deputy leader Tonio Fenech.
Jo Meli
Nov 27th 2012, 07:01
This action is "Act of War" against the People of Malta and NOTHING less !!!
The People EXPECT Prime Minister to tender his RESIGNATION over this turn of Events in the BWSC Saga ... period.
Further comments are superfluous !
Joseph M. Meli (I94857 M)
B. Farrugia
Nov 27th 2012, 06:54
What a cock up by the government, just like the luqa monument. !
Joseph Sant
Nov 27th 2012, 06:54
If I purchase a car and it breaks down during "running in" I expect a full refund or a new car, most probably no local car dealer would oblige. Hopefully BWSC are better than that and would supply us with a brand new turbine free of charge.
paul camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 07:16
no one in the world would give you a replacement new car!!! dont you read or hear about companies doing a recall on the cars that develop faulty workmanship/parts or design flaw? the recall is so they can be modified and FIXED!
Eve Axiaq
Nov 27th 2012, 06:46
Dan kollu qed jigri ghax il gvern ghal xi raguni mhux 'maghrufa' ghaggel biex ihallashom. Kieku BWSC ghadhom ma thallsux ma jaghmlux hekk. Issa rridu noqoghdu niggieldu u mmorru fil qrati barra minn Malta.
Mr Lawrence Mifsud
Nov 27th 2012, 06:41
I cannot believe that full payment was made before commissioning.
The procedure would be that payments are made as each successive progress test is concluded. The full and final payment is only made upon commissioning and upon signing the handing over documents.
paul camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 07:19
payment in advance is something we Maltese do not know the meanning of, this is common practice mode of payment when buyer most products from abroad including oils/fuel and other items
Julian Borg
Nov 27th 2012, 07:49
You are correct... Which is why full payment has NOT been made .... Check your facts.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 27th 2012, 06:34
This isn't a mess. It is a period of testing machinery before it is accepted. A false atmosphere of discontentis being created in the run up to an election. After the next election whoever is elected will have to undo the harm created by this false propaganda scaring away industrial projects and the jobs that they generate. It is the work force who will pay for the dishonesty.
Rita Vella
Nov 27th 2012, 07:09
I am a an Engineer and it is a very basic procedure to start testing from the beginning where there are such situations. At least if you have nothing to be afraid off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ray vassallo
Nov 27th 2012, 07:24
Why are you making excuses for this mess Mr. Saliba? It is a big mess, fullstop! No sane mind would pay for something not tested and handed over to him/her. In the end, it all comes down to the fact that we are still depending on the second hand turbines bought by Mintoff for electricity! Those turbines you and your blue colleagues try to ridicule so much. At least they're still running!
paul camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 08:21
@Ms Vella and this is what Eni Malta are requesting so where is the big mess??
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 27th 2012, 16:33
@RayVassallo.
I am not making excuses for any mess. I am denying that a mess exists because government is forcing BWSC to solve defects before commissioning the power station.
The Marsa power station was not paid out of Mintoff's pocket but through USA Marshall Aid. The usual Labourite moaners and groaners are trying to make political capital out of nothing.
Jimmy Abela
Nov 27th 2012, 17:45
Period of testing according to how BWSC representatives feel like, otherwise they lock it..
ray vassallo
Nov 28th 2012, 14:41
@F.Saliba:
The Marsa P.S. was paid by marshal aid? So what? After some 60 years of service these turbines turned out to be a good choice after all! On the other hand Deimara P.S. was paid out with our money. And that is the mess which you are trying to deny! It has already been paid for and we still depend on Mintoff's second hand turbines! You would see this if you remove those blue lenses!
Rita Vella
Nov 27th 2012, 06:30
This power station has been a mess from the beginning. Giving all these issues (emissions, vibrations, ...), it should not be a difficulty to reject the delivery of the power station and nullify the contract. I believe this is a matter of will.
paul camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 07:20
Electricity has been a mess since the instalation of the coal power plant in Marsa
C Falzon
Nov 27th 2012, 08:26
@ paul camilleri....imnalla ghandna l Power Station tal Marsa ghax kieku ilna li spiccajna fid dlam.
paul camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 10:54
@C.Falzon fiz zmien Mintoff ilna tant fid dlam ta linqas darba fil gimagh u bla ilma jew ilma kannella ghalmenu issa ilma nadif fghandek fil vit u qtuh tal lima qatt umbaght tgerger ax hem qtuh ta elektriku darba jew darbtejn fis senna!!!
Jimmy Abela
Nov 27th 2012, 17:49
Sur Camilleri,
Meta trid nurik il-filters tar-reverse osmosis u tkun taf l-ilma tal-vit hux kannella..
A.f Ellul
Nov 27th 2012, 06:23
What country is this? blackmail country or democracy country,Who is ruling Malta,PN,Gonzi alone or unknown people.
Dorothy Fenech
Nov 27th 2012, 05:09
If this is true it is an incredible situation!
we are being treated like idiots!
arrogance which stinks!!!!!!
David Magro
Nov 27th 2012, 04:39
Hekk sew, bil-garanzija u jghidulna x`ghnadna naghmlu! Dan x`kuntratt sar? Fejn hu Austin Gatt? Hekk wasalna hawn Malta, qiesna pajjiz tat-tiliet dinja?
Anthony Pace Gouder
Nov 27th 2012, 01:30
l-akbar FJASK li qatt rajna taht dan il-Gvern ta'par idejn sodi. Imisekk tirrizenja illum qabel ghada sur Gonzi, Mur emmen dak kollu li ghedt minn meta bdew il-problemi bil-hsara fit-turbina ! ..... ta kif ser ihallsu ghad danni. U bilhaqq x'qed isir u fejn qed jintrema l-iskart tossiku ta'ghaxar containers fil-gimgha?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Nov 27th 2012, 01:25
Where is the Prime Minister now? is this scrap or just another slip up? poor Malta Financial Economy.
Will he claim that BWSE will be held accountable for and carry all the lose of revenue too.
Thanks to Mizzi we are kept informed where our money is going..
Ninu
X Borg
Nov 26th 2012, 23:49
What a mess !
Jimmy Ventura
Nov 26th 2012, 23:35
L-industrija tat-tessuti sparixxiet.
Imma tal-frejjeg kotrot.
Joseph Micallef
Nov 26th 2012, 23:18
What a shame on GonziPN. How much can he ridicule us further!!! And from our pockets, GonziPN didn't dare to pay them, almost completely, beforehand for a malfunctioning powerstation!!! Incredible. Mur għamilha l-Dom Mintoff din!!! Kieku hu in persona kien imur għal-BWSC. Istħi GonziPN jekk taf!!!
Thomas C. Cassar
Nov 26th 2012, 23:17
Where is Mintoff when you need one???
M Grima
Nov 26th 2012, 23:14
GonziPN has turned this country into one big 'buzullotta'.
What next?
Tony Mangion
Nov 26th 2012, 23:13
Another instance to show how soft is Gonzipn even with a small firm, not to mention his softness with the E.U. over the burden sharing and the monies that were promised to us some time ago, which are now being denied.
m. borg (slm)
Nov 26th 2012, 23:08
THis absolutely crazy
Jimmy Abela
Nov 26th 2012, 23:05
Hawn xi blogger pampalun kapaci jaghti sodisfazzjon issa?
Mr C Camilleri
Nov 26th 2012, 22:55
Thank you GonziPN for this disaster. Par idejn sodi u nvestimenti fis-sod !
Silvio Abela
Nov 26th 2012, 22:44
Did the guy who took all those millions in commission get paid for finding this provider? Will we end up with a semi-functional system because of inefficiencies? Will all those responsible for this mess please resign from whatever place the powers have pushed them to? Will ANYONE RESIGN? This is OUR money you are squandering here you know!
Victor Laiviera
Nov 26th 2012, 22:44
That's what happens when you get power station extensions from the Yellow Pages!
K Mifsud
Nov 26th 2012, 22:43
What a mess...shame on the government and BWSC. As a result we have to pay imposed fines by the EU due to the use of the MArsa Power Station. Apart from the money this is also a great detriment to the health of the locals who live in the area. But wait this isn't sliema GonziPN puts aside such areas.
julian caruana
Nov 26th 2012, 22:04
where is the minister that commisioned this mess ? where is the person who paid for it ??? why did the big chief let it all happen under his nose ??? who s to gain out of this mess ???
who would pay the full amount before a product is delivered and tested??? would they have done the same if let s say they were buying a family car??? would you pay full price before you even see i
Marita Magro
Nov 26th 2012, 22:49
only in malta ... the imp thing is that the person who got this contract got a huge commision out of the tax payers money ... the rest is not important for us common people to suffer ... since politicians are not accountabile for their actons they are the untouchables in this island ,,,, let the common people suffer
D Mifsud
Nov 26th 2012, 22:52
You, me and the poeple paying the taxes paid for it my friend
Mr David Ganado
Nov 26th 2012, 22:55
Before shooting off your head with loads of rubbish, have you bothered to check your facts?
The full cost has not been paid yet. There are penalties applicable for the non performance of the contract and there is also a guarante period after the FULL commissioning of the plant. All this means there are enough safeguards to ensure that the final product will have to be a fully functional plant.
S. Vella
Nov 27th 2012, 00:47
What are you on about? Who said that the company has already been paid in full?
julian caruana
Nov 27th 2012, 08:37
@ Mr. Ganado and Mr. Vella.
how much is pending ??? 10 - 15 million, probably factored in from the start as looses by the BWSC.... what safeguards are we talking about here??? taking them to court in london ??? come on you should know better, getting back the 150 million euro will never be possible, and what shall we do in the meantime??? who is going to asses the damage to the whole nation ?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 27th 2012, 15:24
There is no Minister who commisioned this mess. There is a Minister who is making sure that BWSC does not transfer any uncleared mess to the nation. He should be actively supported by all, Nationalists and Labourites alike, because that is in the national interest.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 27th 2012, 17:45
@julian caruana today 08:37
Your comment consisting of five questions and about a dozen question marks are all the proof that is necessary to prove the extent of your ignorance about a matter on which you are pontificating with no trace of any knowledge at all.
Please choose the reason of your report below: