Żminijietna – Voice of the Left calls on the government to safeguard prices of essential services. It is not fair the Maltese people are asked to pay extra money to compensate for the €30 million investment that will be of benefit only to the private investor who will also pocket the profit to be made by the same company. The government should never abdicate its social responsibility. Public entities create “social capital” that safeguards families.

The propaganda projected by the Nationalist Administration in favour of the privatisation brought about a private monopoly and higher prices for all those who make use of the service.

The increase in prices of essential services is further exacerbating the problem of poverty and social exclusion.

At this rate the problem of “fuel poverty households” will continue to worsen, with the unpleasant consequences this problem creates in terms of stigma and social inequality.

It would be a good political initiative if the government changed its anti-social direction and followed the example of other countries, such as Argentina, where the government embraces a policy that subsidies the use of household gas while retaining a commercial profit on that for commercial use.