Repeated and prolonged power cuts across several localities are having serious consequences for families and businesses, particularly the self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises, the Nationalist Party said, urging the government to compensate businesses.

In recent days, we have seen businesses forced to close, lose entire hours of work, dispose of products and food, and face damage to their equipment. This has resulted in substantial losses of income and costs that cannot be recovered.

The PN therefore reiterates the appeal made by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament earlier this week and insists that the government must immediately introduce an automatic compensation scheme for all families and businesses that have suffered losses as a result of prolonged or repeated power cuts.

This compensation should be based on clear and transparent criteria, including the duration of the power cut, damage to equipment, loss of products and stock, loss of sales, and the forced closure of businesses. The process should be simple, swift and free from unnecessary bureaucracy, the PN said.

It is unacceptable for businesses that operate throughout the year, pay taxes and create jobs to be left to bear the cost of the government's lack of planning.

The problems within the electricity distribution system are not new. The increase in population and energy demand was known and foreseeable. The Government had a duty to invest in time and ensure that the country's infrastructure was capable of meeting the needs of families and the economy.

The government cannot boast about economic growth while failing to guarantee a basic and essential service such as a stable electricity supply. We cannot speak of a modern economy when our businesses are unable to serve customers or process payments, and entire businesses are forced to suspend their operations, the PN said.

Families and businesses must no longer be made to pay the price for the Government's failure. Those who have suffered losses must be compensated fully, fairly and without delay.

The statement was signed by Michael Piccinino, Shadow Minister for the Self-Employed, Small Enterprises and Cooperatives, and Darren Carabott, Shadow Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects