The Consumers’ Association has expressed its concern about the suspended gas distribution situation.

This, it said, was creating an inconvenience and if the situation lengthened, it would create general hardship as this fuel was an essential commodity for cooking.

A strike directive issued by the GRTU to gas distributors has remained in place, with no breakthrough in talks on whether the distributors may sell the products of Liquigas and new company EasyGas, which started importing its gas cylinders yesterday.

The distributors are refusing to sell gas cylinders door to door or from fixed plants, including the plant at Qajjenza.

No decision had been issued yet by the Office of Fair Competition.

The GRTU is insisting with the Office that the distributors are licenced retailers who paid for their licence and it would be unlawful and monopolistic if their were restricted to selling just one company's product.

Liquigas is arguing that distributors selling its product should not sell products of other companies.

The association said it felt every distributor should have the right to sell to the public gas provided by different companies so that consumers would have a choice.

It said it felt Liquigas’ attitude could effectively reduce competition.

On the other hand, the association said it felt that the distribution market should be liberalised and the number of licences should not be restricted.

No one should be given territorial exclusivity although distributors should only be allowed to operate in the territory they were assigned according to their licence.

The association said it also felt that the fact that distributors were working together could also hinder competition.

It encouraged the authorities to take the necessary steps to quickly solve this problem and if it lengthened other arrangements should be made to ensure a gas provision.

It also encouraged the authorities to quickly decide on the matter for the benefit of consumers.