Some 8,000 families will have €25 knocked off their electricity bill as a form of compensation after spending more than 12 hours without power during last week’s cut across Malta and Gozo. Ivan Martin went to Qormi, one of the worst affected localities, to find out whether its residents deem the compensation to be adequate.

Doris Mifsud, 75

“We didn’t have electricity for two days. We had to throw away ice cream and other stuff. I know people who threw a lot more away. I suppose that having some compensation, no matter how small, is a nice thing.”

Giovanna Abela, 77

“Terrible! I just received my electricity bill and it’s significant. I threw away €30 worth of frozen meat. We’ll see if [Joseph Muscat] has anything to say now, like he did before the election.”

Karmenu Mifsud, 77

“I’m glad we’re being compensated. After all that trouble, it’s nice to know they care.”

Alfred Conti, 62

“I couldn’t work. I’m a baker and how was I supposed to work the dough? I won’t get any compensation for the work I lost. It’s not for me to decide [on compensation] as leaders lay down the law. I had no lights from 8pm to 2pm the next day.”

Giovanna Casha, 74

“The compensation is a little low if you ask me. I mean if we could get a bit more it would be good since I threw away a lot of meat. The electricity was cut one day and came back the next. I’d like to be informed before something like this happens or at least while it’s happening.”

Chris Gerada, 28

“I think €25 is enough for everyday stuff like milk. Those people who threw away more than I did would have lost more than that. I was lucky my freezer remained cold.”