Marlene Farrugia snubs Enemalta vote over lack of ‘relevant documents’

Malta Independent Friday, 18 July 2014, 13:08 Last update: about 12 years ago

Government MP Marlene Farrugia did not take part in the vote on the Act to turn Enemalta into a public liability company because the government has not tabled documents that were relevant to the debate.

In comments to this newsroom, Dr Farrugia said that "unless proven otherwise by the publication of all the relevant documents, I am under the impression that a foreign government is acquiring substantial control over the only power generation entity in the country. This it will do by acquisition as well as by operation of our generating power plant.”

Enemalta will become a public liability company

“The faith of the workers is also still unclear, since nothing in black and white was presented for our perusal, to prove otherwise. Therefore I felt that a decision on my part to confirm or otherwise the wisdom of this turn of events can only be taken after I have been made privy to what the actual MOU and agreements really hold, for the present and future of my country.”

Dr Farrugia criticised the government in a Facebook post

Earlier, Dr Farrugia criticized the government in a Facebook post that and noted that the PL had “vehemently protested” in a similar case concerning the Ememalta’s BWSC plant some years back.

“I strongly believe in the government’s good intentions to save Enemalta (and the country) from financial ruin, but why aren’t the relevant documents on the table for perusal by the public and for a worthy debate based on facts and conjectures?

When the PN did the same thing with regards to BWSC, we protested vehemently. Is this country doomed to another 5 years of shady governance?”

PN Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs Mario de Marco

Dr Farrugia made these comments soon after Parliament approved a Bill of law to turn Enemalta into a public liability company, transferring all the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the corporation. The PL MP was not present for the sitting.

The Opposition had been calling on the government to publish a Memorandum of Understanding it signed with Shanghai Electric Power, through which it will acquire an unconfirmed amount of Enemalta shares. PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco insisted that the PN could not support a Bill when it did not have the relevant details.

Government Whip Carmelo Abela

Dr Farrugia was the PL's spokesperson on energy during the last legislature. IN reply to questions byThe Malta Independent, government Whip Carmelo Abela said he was not informed by Dr Farrugia that she was not going to attend for the vote. PL MPs Silvio Parnis and Franco Mercieca also did not attend but they had informed the Whip beforehand.