The people deserved an apology for the service they were given by Arms Ltd, particularly up to two weeks ago, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today.

"I feel we should apologise because the service that was given, particularly up to two weeks ago, was not what the country deserved. I regret that the people could not get the explanations they requested from a parastatal company set up to serve the people in such a delicate matter as the electricity bills," Dr Gonzi said in a Radio 101 interview.

Dr Gonzi was asked to give his reaction to an editorial which appeared in The Times a few days ago.

He said he regretted that people who needed to enquire about their bills had to go to small, stuffy premises at Luqa which lacked even basic services.

After he intervened, he said, measures were taken to improve the situation, but this was still not enough.

A more central office had now been set up at Blata l-Bajda, but he had spoken to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech about the setting up of area offices to facilitate matters. Offices of the Social Services Department or local councils could be used for this purpose and he hoped the IT system would be improved as well, Dr Gonzi said.

"I regret what has happened and I promise, as Prime Minister, to work for consumers to be given the best possible service," Dr Gonzi said.

See also

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100818/local/mediaeval-operation-at-arms-in-line-of-fire-of-consumers-wrath