Enemalta keeps taking the people for a ride

A few days ago, the PL spokesman for the Economy, Dr. Charles Mangion stated that the International Oil prices do not reflect the price of unleaded fuel and diesel in Malta. In its reply to this statement, Enemalta has evaded the prime issue and keeps treating consumers as fools.

Enemalta’statement says that the local price of fuel in May was not determined by the international cost of crude oil in April since Enemalta did not have any imports in April. According to Enemalta, the price was based on the March shipment. However, the price of crude oil in March was almost identical to the one in April. Enemalta convientely omitted mentioning that the Euro price of fuel in July was more than 11% lower than that of March. The Labour Party spokesman is insisting with both Enemalta and the MRA, that they publish a detailed explanation on how an international reduction of more than 11% resulted in a saving of only 0.7% on the local market.

As reported in the online version of ‘The Times’, Enemalta admitted that the price of Diesel between May and June of this year was 9.83% lower and not 16% as had been claimed. However when converted from US Dollars to Euro this change reflects a decrease of 12%. Once again, the Malta Resources Authority and Enemalta have a duty to explain why such a decrease in the price of diesel resulted in a decrease of only 3.6% in favour of the local consumer.

Transparency and Accountability are far more important to the country. Both Enemalta and the MRA should provide consumers with detailed workings on the retail price of fuel oils in Malta. They should answer people’s concerns and not circumvent any criticism in favour of the local consumer.