Blogs » Desmond Zammit Marmarà

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A national problem

The recent power outage has highlighted the problems regarding the way Enemalta operates. It is an acknowledged fact that the two power stations operate quite inefficiently but, to add insult to injury, we have now had to endure a power outage that lasted for a long period of time and which meant millions of Euro damage to our economy, not to mention, of course, the disruption of the daily lives of citizens. Reducing Malta to the level of a Third World country is simply disgraceful in 2009.

Everywhere I go, I listen to people livid at the inefficiency of this Nationalist Government and at the audacity of some high-placed officials, nothing better than lackeys in my opinion, who try to present such occurrences to the general public as nothing to be really worried about.

"These things happen everywhere", they state. What they do not state is that it is in their personal interest to defend the Government even when the situation is indefensible. As in other sectors of the administration of this country, Lawrence Gonzi continues to demonstrate the emptiness of the slogan "par idejn sodi".

Delimara power station extension

It is inexcusable that certain decisions are taken by the PN Government which can negatively affect the health of Maltese citizens. The contract of the Delimara Power Station extension entails operating it on heavy fuel oil and will mean generating a large amount of waste. All this will be detrimental not only to the health of the workers at the plant but also to the people of the South of the island living in the vicinity of the Power Station. I would like to ask one simple question : "Is it not immoral to have the Nationalist Government decide in a manner which will harm the environment, including the human one?"

No economic rationale, no financial excuses will ever justify anything that can have even a remote negative effect on the health of the people. The health and well-being of citizens come first. What the Lawrence Gonzi administration is doing is to economize at a very heavy social cost, i.e. exposing citizens to dangers that can easily be avoided. I do hope that all Maltese realize how serious and condemnable is this action of the PN Government.

Alternative Energy

On a positive note, the distribution by the PN Government of energy-saving bulbs which is getting belatedly underway is something that should be praised. I am also in favour of educational campaigns on eliminating, as far as possible, energy wastage. Meanwhile, the Government should do its utmost to explore ways of introducing alternative and renewable energy into all aspects of life in Malta. Remember that Malta is committed to the European Union to produce 10 % of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

What worries me is the fact that there is still a certain amount of controversy about the viability of Wind Farms at Hal Far, Wied Rini and Is-Sikka l-Bajda. This is an area that needs to be further explored because a recent European Environmental Agency study has shown that Malta's demand for electricity can be fully met and exceeded when using wind energy.

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Comments

laurence schembri (on 27/6/09)
"hot knisja biex tibni ohra" - Martinelli, BOV is one of the most solid and respected Banks in Europe today, even in dividends surpassed HSBC on the stock exchange, when Mintoff decided to take BICAL under his wing it was near enough in a state of bankruptcy, he bailed it out, exactly what is happening to most World Banks today Governments bail-out, Northern Rock, Royal Bank of Scotland, etc, etc. The victims? Your government been there long enough to have sorted this business out, but it didn`t. Why? Because they new that Mintoff was right. You cannot blame Gordon Brown for the money and pensions lost to clients of Northern Rock. Miss-management by the Fat Cats is the problem.
GiovDeMartino (on 27/6/09)
Il-perit made Malta what IT WAS UP TO 1987: an impoverished police state.
laurence schembri (on 26/6/09)
I`m a man of a few words. Il-Perit made Malta what it is today, you cannot alter history to suit.
v.vella (on 26/6/09)
@J.Martinelli.Your assertion that PN did anything to improve air malta in any way is groundless when EFA took over air malta had over 100 maltese youngsters in flying position,besides having a number of hotels,air supply co etc.When the PN took over ,air mata started on its downward trend like all other corporations did.The pn is famous not for continue to build on what was there but to dismantle which is the easiest thing to do even a fool could do it and that was supposed to be to cut down on the defecit but even on this one
the PN INEFFIECENY continues to shine as the defecit continued to grow to alarming levels.
Take your pn blinkers off and view the political situation as it is actually ,not as you wish it.
v.vella (on 26/6/09)
@J.Matinelli. Your mixing up Bical Bank with BOV, and Mid Bank indicates either your poor knowledge of our political history is or else your pnblinkers does not let you see history in its true prospective either way with people like you its useless to continue corresponding.
Eddies Money No Problem Evangelisim did improve some areas were there is always the need to improve.But the concept of MONEY FOR VAlUE was thrown out of the window and he brought the country on its knees DEFICIT WISE ask the EU.The PN called air malta ghasafar ta comb.How could they improve on WHAT MINTOFF did.Take AZZURA AIR SAGA which
nearly got air malta bankrupt.PN were good to waste good money with little results.
J Martinelli (on 26/6/09)
@ laurence schembri, v.vella et al

When will you drill it in your head that when EFA took over and adopted what you state as, 'money, no problem', he found a country with a patched up second hand telephone system, a third rate airport, no water in your kitchen tap and shower head, hardly enough power and frequent interruptions, no foreign investments coming in and a crumbling infrastructure. EFA corrected most if not all of the miserable deficiencies which Labour had a chance to correct during its 16 year reign and did not.

Air Malta started under Mintoff's regime, but please remember that it consisted of three leased planes from Pakistan and piloted by Pakistanis. Nothing wrong with that but when Air Malta expanded significantly Labour's government was history.

And please don't go into the creation of Mid-Med and BOV because that is another disaster whose story is long enough to fill pages. Labour's principle always was, 'hott knisja biex tibni ohra' and in this case the victims were B of Bical and National B of Malta when people lost millions because of a manufactured case of 'insolvency' Rubbish, plain rubbish.

LP's trademark remains - incompetency and lack of vision.
laurence schembri (on 25/6/09)
@Martinelli
There where a lot of things that I did not agree with while Sant was PM, but one thing for sure, Alfred Sant is an honest man,the huge deficit was in existence when Sant took over,with thanks to the Money no Problem, Eddie. As for the electricity bills, this is a falacy that the Nationalists keep on about, not one person on the Island paid these bills, in actual fact when the Nationalists won the election in `98 the shout was, that the E&W tariffs will be reverted to what they were, this was a lie, they weren`t and within 6 months we had to pay two-and-a- half-years of higher bills. the deficit that EFA created prior to the `96 election is still with us today and it will remain with us for years to come. Ask John Dalli, he will give you the true answer. No, we are not insane, wethe problem with this country is that we have too many people of your ilk.
v.vella (on 25/6/09)
@j.Martinelli.The level of arrongance coming from the PN side in unbeliveable.What right have you to call the Maltese Insane,do you think you are going to impress anyone by calling us names.Whenever the electorate voted and decided our future IT WAS ALWAYS SUPREME and did the right choice.It showed LABOUR ADMINSTRATION out of the door( and RIGHTLY SO ) due to the arrogance they showed towards the electorate and now this DAMDINA to Gonzipn was given due to his arrogance.but it seems pn side never learns that ARROGANCE DOES NOT PAY.They persist and enjoys dishing it out.
v.vella (on 25/6/09)
@J.Martinelli.All the Corporations and Companies established by the PL contributed millions of maltese liri to the Economy but the Great GONZIPN had the capibility of dismaltling them for peanuts or for nothing.In PL history will show that all beggars disappeared from the entrance of valletta and other places,Maybe you dont appreciate all the PL did for the low wage earners as were you born with a golden teaspoon in your mouth.But whhatever you or any pn apologists say these are facts and no one can erase them.Labour
side acknowledges its mistakes but on the PN side they say they never commited any mistakes.They are perfect in all they do.ZINNNNNNNNN.
v.vella (on 25/6/09)
@J.Martinelli.In History the LP was responsible for building from scratch Air Malta,Sea Malta,
Tug Malta,Enemalta,telemalta,BOV,MID MED,Oil TANKING CO,Gozo Channel and many others were maltese youngsters were able to start a carrier as Airline Pilots,Engineers etc etc something which was never available under any PN administration.Then unfortunetly
some ministers of the time became arrogant with the electorate which showed them the way out and presently that is exactly what GONZIPN Became ARROGANT PAR EXELLENCE thats why the begining of the end is in sight for gonzipn.THE 35,000tkaxkira is the begining.
J Martinelli (on 25/6/09)
@ v vella

By what you say, all Maltese are totally insane. Thank you very much.

They must be, because since the MLP (not the LP) did so much for so many, then by deduction most Maltese must be ungrateful or totally insane.

The problem with the MLP was (and is) that for every one thing they do right, they screw up ten. Therefore, on balance, one long term experience with the champions of the workers, seemed to be more than enough so much so that one whole generation said no every time. Even more so, that when the public gave the MLP a chance in 1996, it was unable to deliver at least one full term, screwed up VAT and introduced CET, raised the W&E bills sky high when oil was at $12.00 a barrel and created a massive deficit for little to show.

Keep hoping, V Vella.
v.vella (on 25/6/09)
@j.Martinelli& G.Demartino.Since it seems to be your hobby going back in history.Here is the real history after 1971 by PL.Intorduced for All Minimum wage.40 hour week,5day week,same conditions and wages for women,annual bonus,annual leave and sick leave for all,pensions for all,children allowance,opened the university doors for the working class,obligatory education,real free health service,gave out thousand of plots and appts to the working class eradicated poverty and PN always voted against these benefits to the working class.And
opened up a lot of opprtunities to the working class and PN WAS AGAINST ALL THIS.
GiovDeMartino (on 25/6/09)
HiHiHi....u Gonzi ghadu PRIM....HiHiHi...l-iblah taqlaghlu ghajnu u jifrah.....bil-50000000000elf vot b'kollox. U Gonzi baqa' PRIM HiHiHi......
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 25/6/09)
@ DeMartino & Martinelli in particular and all PN (Upps) I mean GonziPN's Oracles ..... You tend to misinform and twist the "past" because you are terrified of facts and the truth! I do not blame you in manipulating events to 'hide' the autrocious past of the PN. Start from Terrinu till the present autrocious events that are taking place today ( Zeppi L Hafi,Mistra, Mepa,VAT's millions dissapearance, Water Elect Bills, Gouder's baptism etc etc)

Your barking of the past that you attribute to the MLP (upps) I mean PL is tailormade to fit the PN. Your behaviour towards Lord strickland and his party was not different from your behaviour towards the Leader/s of the L and the PL nowadays! You can never change.

Hiding your Party's past and ignoring your party's present state of disintegration won't save your party. The present shattered state GonziPN is in is public knowledge and your futile attempts to hide the truth will never save it from the fate it deserves. It is a question of time. In national interests the ealier the better.

The last MEP and local elections is just a massive show of trust In Joseph and the LP! Nothing else.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 24/6/09)
Hi hi hi "vilel kull fejn thares',anke fil wied tal Wardija u l-Fawwara Giovan,hi hi hi, kif ga ghedtlek ibqa fejn int halli nkomplu nikbru. hi hi hi hi.....
GiovDeMartino (on 24/6/09)
L-ikbar cxertifikat lil Gonzi PN jaghtihulu l-poplu bil-prosperita li haw. Karozzi izjed milli rridu, nies jithabtu biex jieku INQAS u mhux izjed, divertiment, safar, xalar, miljuni ta' bonds jinhatfu f'siegha, vilel kull fejn thares, airconditioners u kull xorta ta lussu. Tafu ghala? Ma tafux? Ghax il prim jismu Gonzi! Idhqu kemm tridu. Ma tafux li l-ib;lah taqlaghlu ghajnu u jifrah? Xi trid taghmel.
v.vella (on 24/6/09)
@J.Martinelli.Likbar certifikat ta kemm is sitwazzjoni tal pajjiz taht Gonzipn hija tajba il lum inghata minnek ghax ghazilt li tmur tghix go pajjiz iehor ghalhekk int ma tistax tifhem is sitwazzjoni prekarja li gonzipn gab li poplu malti.Ghalik li tikkritika min pajjiz li fih lopportunitajiet kollha bhal ma hi il Canada hi lehfef haga li kieku kont hawn thoss il polz tal poplu u toqol tal hajja li gabna fiha gonzi kieku forsi tirraguna differenti.Il poplu were bil vot kontra Gonzi li il ftit crdibilita li kellu dal gvern ghosfrot din il verita sagrosanta tghid xtghid int
u shabek li jridu jiddefendu xi haga li ma tistax tiddefendi.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 24/6/09)
@ Giov De Martino

Giovan,mhux qalbna qed taqsmilna,zaqqna bid dahq. Kompli halli nkomplu nzidu ll voti u nidhqu.Ara ma jfettillikx issir lejburist ghax is 46,000 ex nazzjonalist nitilfuhom.

Darba Charlie Chaplin qal li biex iddahhaq mhi xejn problema,id-diffikulta hi biex jidhaq il-komiku. ( Speccjalment meta l-buffu jintebah li l-imperu li tant habb qed jitkisser,anzi,ga tkisser.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 24/6/09)
@ v vella
Did you ever read the Pravda?
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 24/6/09)
@ GiovDeMartino
40% of the population is very happy with Gonzi In power,yet Gonzi is sad seeing 60% of the population against him staying in power without control.
v.vella (on 24/6/09)
@J.Matinelli.Jien nifhemek tibqa tmur lura is snin ghax dik lunika konsolazzjoni ghalik ghax
biex tnizzel telfa ta 35.000 vot iebsa xi haga.Issa illum min ghandu il flus jista jixtri kollox
pero mijiet kbar ta familji maltin lanqas ghandhom flus biex ihallsu il kont ta dawl dal lavvanz
kollu li gabna fih Gonzi.Forsi inti mill Canada ma tistax taf il faqar li waqat fih parti mis socjeta
maltija.Il PL qered il faqar u Gonzi pn bil pultika qed jerga jerfa rasu.Tajtx kemm qed tressaq voti lura lejn il PN bil priedki tieghek fuq il passat.Ghalina il maltin ta malta jghodd il lum
u issa.Ghall pn addio is slogan BIEX INTI TGHIX AHJAR u REBBIEFGHA GDIDA.
J Martinelli (on 24/6/09)
@ v vella

Ghall inqas , nghidu li rridu, nixtru li rridu, u mhux dak li l-gvern irid.
Xkaffef mimlija, ghazla ta prodotti, mhux bullubif, sardin u tonn taz-zejt.
Ma nistennewx min gimgha ghall ohra ghal butir u margerina.
M'hemmx bzonn inwieznu lill xi kazin Laburista biex nixtru television tal-kulur.
M'hemmx bzonn dokumenti u import licence u permessi biex nixtru kompjuter.
Wiehed ghandu ghazla ghal liema karriera u liema kors jiehu fl-Universita'.
L-MCAST u l-Universita ippakkjati bi studenti mhux miftuhin biss bazuzli Laburisti.
L-akbar numru ta impjegati - mhux xi 8000 impjegati f'xi dejma.
Kul min irid, jahdem - mhux strajkijiet tat-tobba, teachers, drivers, etc..
Kwiet, mhux tifrik ta kazini, stamperiji, Qorti, Ghasses, djar privati ta politici mhux Laburisti.
Investimenti kbar mhux nixfa ta flus ghajr xi ftit karita minn stati Kommunisti.
Ilma kemm trid mhux ilma kannella kollu sadid.
Airport modern dehn ta pajjiz modern.
Sistema ta telefon moderna u digitali mhux dak ta zmien zemzem 'second hand'.
Liberta assoluta mhux theddid u swat jekk tghid xi haga kontra l-gvern.
Vizjoni ghal futur mhux disprament u nkaxxati go sqaq li ma nistghux nohorgu minnu.

Dak kien zmien taht is-Socjalisti! Igri jasal il-mument ta hakma Laburista! Brrrr...
GiovDeMartino (on 24/6/09)
Ma nixtieqx naqsam qalb hadd.....imma xi trid taghmel? Gonzi PRIM MINISTRU...
v.vella (on 24/6/09)
@G.DeMartino & J.Martinelli.Ta min iffakkar illi ftit xhur il Gonzi ghajjar lil J.Muscat li sab ruhu
fil parlament minghajr ma kellu lebda voti warajh( nesa leluf kbar ta voti li tawh il maltin ghal parlament ewropew ) Gonzi gi ghal lewwel test ma Muscat u bit tkaxkira li tah la Gonzi u lanqas is segwaci tieghu ma jafu xlaqathom ghax ghadhom sturduti lakbar rebah poltika ta partit f 50 sena.Lunika konsolazzjoni li ghandhom li jmorru jghixu lura flistorja u jaslu sa fejn jaqbel lilhom, ghadhom ma hadux il lezzjoni li bi nies daqshekk gbid ta saqajn.In nies jinterrsehom il lum u issa Addio BIEX INTI TGHIX AHJAR .
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 23/6/09)
Prim Ministru ta 40% imdawwar b'ministri dissidenti u poplu shieh ghatxan ghall bidla.
GiovdeMartino@Buttigieg (on 23/6/09)
Jaqaw tridni nfakkrek li Gonzi ghadu Prim Ministru?
J Martinelli (on 23/6/09)
@ Charles J Buttigieg Mela kemm intom il-Laburisti ghandkom fuq l-istonku? Kemm il-elf vot tliftu f'hames telfiet f'elezzjonijiet generali u referendum? Tifirhu ghax tirbhu battalja, izda l- gwerra toghodd.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 23/6/09)
Meruh ha jizvoga u ghall ftit jinsa it-tkaxkiraw li 46,000 Nazzjonalist taw lill Gonzipn.
GiovDeMartino@Vella et al (on 22/6/09)
Kemm jaghtukom fastidju l-lekcers tieghi!!!!MERUNI KELMA WAHDA BISS.
v.vella (on 22/6/09)
@G.DeMartino.In order to hide Gonzipn inefficiency you are still living 20/30 years ago. I guess that is Called Progressive Mentality.No wonder pn apolgists cannot understand today"s generation feeling.Continue on this line of arguining and you hasten the PN s downfall.
J Martinelli (on 22/6/09)
@ Giovanni DeMartino Where have you been living lately? Haven't you woken up yet to the fact that the LP has removed a sixteen year chapter (1971-87) from THEIR history books? So much so, that they brought back some operators from that era to help them prevent a repetition, Alex Sciberras-Trigone, for one! Shame on you. And I thought you're so up to date on matters political!
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 22/6/09)
Dr Gonzi says he is worried "for sure" that there are certain ministers and MPs expressing disgruntlement but adds that "there's nobody who can threaten me on any issue"
Joseph Borg (on 21/6/09)
And Giov De Martino has resurfaced again (unfortunately) with his history lectures. What a surprise!!!!
GiovDeMartino (on 21/6/09)
It is simply UNBELIEVABLE. Malta is compared to a third world country because, horror of horrors, there has been a power cut. Imaginbe when a country is l;eft without constitutional court, the residence of the leader of the opposition, a printing press, the law courts, a union's headquarters, the curia, all opposition clubs, the private residences of judges.etc,etc are ransacked, burned, destroyed, citizens are tortured or murdered at th epolice hqrs....what classification is given to such country?
GiovDeMartino (on 21/6/09)
It is simply UNBELIEVABLE! M

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