The hefty increases in the price of fuel and gas have angered the vast majority of the people. Not just the price increases but also the way these increases were introduced.

It is quite obvious that the rise of 6c per litre of petrol was introduced in April because in March we had the local council elections! Had there been no such elections half of this increase would have been introduced on March 1 and the second half on April 1. Still, this ploy did not work for GonziPN.

As regards the rise in the price of gas, besides the way the new gas prices were announced late Maundy Thursday, one of the reasons given, besides the rise of gas on the international market, is bethat the euro had weakened in comparison to the dollar. As far as I can remember, there has never been a reduction in the price of gas when the euro had strenghtened when compared to the dollar, even when the exchange rate was €1=$1.47. My final comment is addressed, once again, to the minister of failures, Austin Gatt. This time on the contract he had signed with Arriva.

We have just heard that the government – that is, Maltese and Gozitan taxpayers – will be paying €1.8 million extra money in subsidies per year to Arriva because of the changes introduced to bus routes after the introduction of the original routes, which Dr Gatt, his ministry and Transport Malta had imposed on Arriva in the agreement signed with much pomp by our arrogant minister.

Shouldn’t Dr Gatt resign of his own accord because of this gross failure, which will be costing the Maltese people €1.8 million a year more for the duration of Arriva’s contract, which I believe is for 10 years – €18 million more – due to Dr Gatt and his ministry’s incompetence? And if he doesn’t, shouldn’t Lawrence Gonzi ask him to resign, at least, if not bestowing on Dr Gatt The Order of the Boot?