Port reforms are not expected to take years to be implemented and many pending issues should be resolved by the end of the year, if not earlier, according to Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea.

In an interview, Minister Galea said the reforms, starting with the award of the cargo-handling contract last week, are aimed at increasing efficiency in the ports and boosting the income of all those who earn a living, directly or indirectly, from the sector.

“The government wants an efficient operation, without delays that cost time and money. Efficiency also reduces the risks for the port workers and all those who make a living from this sector. The reforms are not intended to change the cargo handler but to change the work practices of all the stake holders to improve efficiency. We also want to see a reduction in tariffs and port charges,” Minister Galea said.

He is confident that the proposed reforms will be implemented within the shortest time possible, and even though he acknowledges that discussions with the various categories of workers will be tough, at times heated, he believes there is the will to bring about change.

Asked to comment on an article written by the secretary general of the General Workers’ Union, Tony Zarb, last Thursday, wherein he accused the government of getting its revenge on the union, the minister said Mr Zarb’s accusations did not make sense.

Mr Galea would not say why the GWU’s bid for the contract failed because “there is a commitment not to divulge any details of the bids until the whole tender process is completed”.

However, he did not exclude that the proposals of all bidders could be made public at a later stage when the tendering process was completed.

With regard to the Cirkewwa and Mgarr terminals, the minister admitted that these projects were behind schedule. He said the Gozo terminal at Mgarr is expected to be completed by the end of the year and up and running by March 2007. Construction of the terminal at Cirkewwa is expected to start in the coming months, the minister added.