Updated - adds second statement by Liquigas -

Liquigas Malta said this evening that it has asked the authorities to ensure that its right to distribute and sell gas cylinders is respected.

Two Liquigas trucks were earlier today blocked inside the Qajjenza gas bottling plant by gas distributors who insisted that the government should not allow gas companies to carry out door-to-door distribution of gas cylinders.

Liquigas, which  holds a licence to distribute gas cylinders, apologised for any inconvenience to the public resulting for the distributors’ action.

This morning some of the distributors parked their trucks across the exit of the bottling plan and insisted that the government should amend regulations which enable gas companies to directly sell their product from their own trucks.

No distribution and sale of gas cylinders  took place, although a GRTU representative said the stoppage will not be indefinite.

A number of trucks were also driven in a noisy protest outside the Auberge de Castille.

The distributors said that in terms of a 1992 agreement they had each been allocated areas where they could sell gas cylinders, but their 'patch' was now being invaded by Liquigas which was selling gas cylinders directly.

The trucks blocking the Qajjenza plant moved away in the afternoon, when the plant closed as usual.

LIQUIGAS STATEMENT

In a statement, Liquigas Malta said it continued to supply its cylinders to gas distributors  this morning even though their trucks were also loaded with its competitor’s cylinders.

"This has been done because Liquigas wants to ensure its clients are constantly well served."

The company said that last week, it started distributing cylinders directly with its own truck in the Sliema district following serious complaints of bad service about the distributor of that particular area. 

"Liquigas decided to deliver cylinders directly in this area so as to improve the quality of service to its customers," the company said.

"Liquigas Malta has the right both to ensure that its clients are well served and to protect its commercial interests," it added.