An investigation into an alleged cartel in the sale of fuel is expected to be concluded by the end of next week, nine months after it was launched.  

The MCCAA, which is the regulator, launched the the probe followed an incident involving Rabat fuel station owner Mario Camilleri, who had unilaterally decided to cut the price of diesel by 2c a litre at the height of complaints over high fuel prices.

However, Mr Camilleri’s initiative to pass on to consumers part of the higher profit margin given to him by the Falzon Group did not materialise after he claimed that one of the Falzon Group owners, Joe Falzon, told him to reverse the decision. Mr Falzon allegedly warned him that the higher profit margin would be withdrawn if he persisted with the lower diesel price.

Falzon Group’s CEO Cornelia Zammit German would only say when asked about Mr Camilleri’s claims that all petrol stations were free to sell fuel at whatever price they deemed fit. The Energy Ministry said that the same thing, adding that all operators in the fuel market in Malta were free to compete in terms of prices.

A number of entities gave their version of events to the regulator months ago.  

Despite the liberalisation of the fuel market in 2007, there is effectively no price competition at the pumps. Although Enemed is by far the largest fuel supplier on the island, there are a few private operators who supply diesel to service stations.