The energy watchdog says no evidence was found that Easygas was filling gas cylinders illegally, during inspections carried out in the wake of claims made by its competitor that it had “clear video evidence” of such illegalities, this newspaper has learnt.

Nevertheless, the police were still requested to probe the footage presented by Liquigas on December 18, when it had filed a judicial protest against Easygas. Subsequently, Liquigas also said it intended to file for damages.

Liquigas had claimed that Easygas employees were filmed “abusively filling gas cylinders” in a yard in Luqa without the necessary licence.

But Easygas denied the claims while accusing its competitor of trying to re-establish the monopoly it enjoyed prior to its venture in the market. Easygas had also said it had been granted the necessary licence, some days after the alleged incident, on December 27.

Meanwhile the police are yet to say whether they would be pressing charges against the alleged offenders. Questions sent on Tuesday by Times of Malta to the police were not answered by the time of going to print.

This newspaper also sought the comments of the Malta Resources Authority, which is the regulator of the energy sector.

An authority spokeswoman said they had immediately sent a team of compliance officers to the Easygas Malta Limited plant in Luqa, following a complaint by Liquigas.

Though no evidence was found to corroborate Liquigas’ claims, she said the MRA officials sealed some pipe works as a precaution. The spokeswoman confirmed that the regulator had requested the police to investigate the allegations while a number of senior MRA officials met the police authorities over this case.

Subsequently, increased random inspections were carried out to verify that the seals were not tampered with and that no filling of cylinders was taking place, she said.

Probed whether it was fit to grant a licence to Easygas with the outcome of the police investigation still pending, the spokeswoman clarified that Easygas was only granted a temporary licence to test and commission the filling station.

She pointed out that on December 27 they had informed Easygas that for the authority to give its no objection, they had to satisfy a number of conditions. Eventually the green light was given on January 10 after the authority verified that the applicant had met all requirements. The MRA said that it would keep monitoring any developments in this case.