The Nationalist Party on Thursday again criticised the government after "half of Malta" ended up without electricity on Wednesday afternoon.

Yesterday, Robert Abela told us that he believes population growth does not affect energy demand, the PN said in a statement.

"No wonder there has been a lack of investment in the electricity distribution system over the years. No wonder that, since Robert Abela became Prime Minister, he and Miriam Dalli have turned Malta and Gozo into a Christmas tree," it added.

That was the case again yesterday, when half of Malta and Gozo were once more left without electricity.

Residents in several localities across Malta and Gozo once again experienced power cuts yesterday. In Malta, affected localities included Qormi, Żebbuġ, Żabbar, Żejtun, Attard, St Paul's Bay, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Balzan, Birkirkara, Birżebbuġa, Għaxaq, Ħamrun, Iklin, Kalkara, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, Mosta, Msida, Santa Venera, San Ġwann, Swieqi and Siġġiewi.

In Gozo, residents in Victoria, Munxar, Nadur, Qala, Fontana, Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Sannat, Xagħra, Xewkija and Żebbuġ were affected.

Yet Robert Abela continues to insist that unplanned population growth - and that the Labour Government's failure to plan and invest in the infrastructure needed to cater for it - has nothing to do with the problem.

Our country deserves a government that is focused on the challenges it faces, the PN said.
The statement was signed by Mark Anthony Sammut, Shadow Minister for Energy and the Environment