PM refutes criticism that government is keeping energy agreements under wraps

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning refuted criticism that the government has kept a number of energy agreements under wraps including power purchase agreements, arguing that it was much more open to scrutiny than the PN administration.

Dr Muscat was asked to comment in the wake of the fact that to date only the agreement reached with Shanghai Electric Power has been published, through which the Chinese company bought a minority stake in Enemalta.

Ahead of the parliamentary debate on this deal, the Opposition has been calling on the government to publish other energy agreements including the contract for the building of the new gas-fired power plant, the power purchase agreements with this consortium and that with the Chinese company.

Replying to questions from the media at the end of a visit at the new Toly plant in Bulebel, the Prime Minister also faced questions on the presidential pardon given to oil trader George Farrugia.

Asked whether he believed that former Prime Minister Gonzi had misled the Public Accounts Committee in the wake of new revelations which raised questions on this pardon, Dr Muscat did not pronounce himself saying that this would be determined during the course of investigations.

Earlier the Prime Minister inaugurated the new corporate offices of the Toly Products which specialises in the manufacture of packaging for cosmetic and beauty products. The complex was refurbished at a cost of €2 million, with the Group eyeing more investment in the near future.

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