August is the month of holidays. For the majority of Maltese families, it is the time of holidays. Most factories close for their shutdown. August is the month during which Malta has to sell its image as one of the major tourist paradises in this part of the world.

What happened on Tuesday night was not exactly something that did us proud with the paying visitors. Neither did it make us Maltese enjoy our hard-earned August holidays.

In Sliema and St Julian’s disappointed customers struggled to find places where to eat. It was just as disappointing for the service providers.

The Santa Marija holiday week for the Maltese did not start in the best of ways.

Driving in certain localities, including St Julian’s and Swieqi, was a nightmare.

Busy traffic junctions normally controlled by traffic lights became a battle for the mighty because the lights were out.

It is imperative that traffic lights are powered by solar energy for emergencies like we had on Tuesday.

Many risked life and limb and tempers flared.

For many, what promised to be a summer evening out turned out to be a nightmare. Food places that provide al fresco services were like funeral parlours. They were either in pitch darkness or candle lit. Sliema looked like the Addolorata Cemetery on any November day. Restaurants and catering outlets died on Tuesday night. Kitchens remained closed and plates empty. Hopeful customers waited in vain.

We would have preferred to give an encouraging message to the catering staff waiting to earn their living. Three hours of waiting for power to be restored took their toll. No food. No news except that the whole island was in pitch darkness. No laughter could be heard on Tuesday evening.

Route buses on the Sliema front were packed like sardines. Queues of angry passengers waited in vain on bus stops. Private minivans did a roaring business packing 25/30 persons instead of 14. Hotel coffee shops were not complaining because they had generators.

VAT inspectors were nowhere to be seen. Prices hit the roof. It is well worth investing in generators.

Finally, we got back home to find that the batteries of the emergency lights had died down. No fans could be switched on. Air-conditioners did not hum like they usually do. No TV news. We could only wait and speculate.

For many of us Maltese this was a trip downthe dark memory lanes of the 1980s

The long hot night started to take its toll. Neighbourhood watchers were on their toes. They watched out for burglars and suspicious-looking east Europeans who have made Sliema, St Julian’s and Swieqi their promised land.

With the breaking of dawn, electricity was back. No water in the tubs, no water in the showers, no water for cooking. The reverse osmosis system is to blame. I do not know whether such a vital service makes use of generators or not. Hopefully, someone in authority can commission a study on this matter. Water supply is not a luxury.

Midday and still no water in the toilet flushing cisterns although, slowly, it started to trickle in. For many of us, Maltese this was a trip down the dark memory lanes of the 1980s.

Those who try to get on with their lives and for whom the internet is their bread and butter have another bridge to cross. Internet is down. I am very lucky because, after half an hour waiting on the line, I was told that the problem is one of intermittent service. If I am lucky, the earliest I can have my service back is this afternoon.

There you are August 2014. No electricity, no water, no internet. I am sure Enemalta has a perfectly good explanation. It could not be the fault of the Chinese. It could not be because the gas power station is not yet operational. It could not be the government’s fault either. The Opposition is definitely not to blame.

In this beautiful country nobody in authority seems to be accountable. The State is perfect. The law-abiding citizens carry the can.

To be my usual positive self, I can say it could have been worse. I could have been the one the helicopter looking for a hospital landing pad was deployed to assist. My holiday may start tomorrow if Melita Cable solve their technical problem.

Sliema is not one of the nine towns or villages celebrating the feast of Santa Marija . They had the worst deal. My heart goes out to those who worked so hard to be able to celebrate with their families and friends. To those small family businesses that depend on this festa week to survive.

We all need to pull together hoping this was only a ‘one off’ occurrence.

I urge the authorities to do their utmost to ensure our quality of life continues to improve not only through slogans and lip service but concrete results. I am sure the vast majority love Malta the way I do.

Paul Fenech is a member of the Swieqi local council.