The Nationalist Party is proposing that water and energy bills are redcued by 50 per cent to all families and businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.
David Aguis PN deputy leader and Spokesperson for Energy and Water Management, said the PN "is determined to not only scrutinize the government but to also provide ideas and solutions for people’s concerns in light of the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in today. These ideas are a product of the work of parliamentary members and the continuous consultations that the party is having with NGOs and social partners”.
These are the proposals which the PN has forward for the government with regards to energy management;
1. The government should lower water and electricity bills by 50% for all Maltese families and businesses so that they match up with the international prices for oil and gas. This should be backdated to 9 March.
2. The government should also lower the price of fuel. European countries have reduced the prices of diesel and petrol with an average of 10 cents while Malta kept the same prices. Upon consultation with experts in the field, the PN believes that these prices can be reduced by 30 cents per litre.
3. The limit for ECO contribution should be increased since the domestic use of electricity has also increased drastically. The limit of 1,750 unit per year will be surpassed which means that families will lose on their ECO contribution.
4. The price of water usage should be reduced for all families so that the impact of any extra charges is not felt as much. Currently, people have to pay an extra €5 for every m3 if they go above the 33m3 limit.
5. The price for renting water and electricity meters by businesses should also be reduced, especially for businesses which have been forced to close their doors but are still consuming electricity.
6. Finally, the government must also realise the previous Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s promise that the way water and electricity bills will be changed so as to ensure that the government does not try to profit from it.
Aguis said that the government has been dragging its feet when it comes to implementing measures as they are few in amount and were implemented too late. The government should have prioritised all sectors, not just one, including the self-employed, investors and the negotiators who worked hard on getting surplus so that no one is laid off and no business goes bankrupt because of this crisis.
“This crisis is making it clearer that we are paying the price for the incompetence and corruption of this government, like the scandalous Vital and Steward Healthcare agreement. The Labour government finds itself bound to corrupt contracts with private and foreign companies which only the private sector can profit from,” he said.
Robert Cutajar, PN Spokesperson for Local Councils, Communities and EU Funds, said that energy bills are one of the principal stresses for all families, workers and NGOs especially during this time of crisis.
He believes that the system that the government has in place is discriminatory as not all workers can practice social distancing as they have the right to do. With these measures the PN is addressing all medical and socio-economic measures that families and businesses need so that we can overcome this crisis together.