[attach id=260593 size="medium"]Burning for 12 hours per day, the flames cost the country €19,084 annually. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier[/attach]
The eternal flames flanking the Floriana War Memorial were never on a 24-hour shift but burnt only for 18 hours a day during the last legislature, Times of Malta has learnt.
The flames, which were first lit on April 13 last year to mark the 70th anniversary of the award of the George Cross, became the centre of a controversy last month when it became known that the new Labour government had decided to have them burn only for 12 hours a day to save money.
The move had infuriated war veterans, especially as it was one of the very first actions taken by Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi on March 9. The Ministry had defended the decision by pointing out that it took about 1,000 litres of propane gas a week to keep the flames burning for 24 hours a day, costing €28,600 a year.
With the new 12-hour system, the Ministry had said, the flames would cost the country €19,084.
However, the mathematics did not make sense, seeing as the costs had not been halved.
When asked about this, a spokeswoman for the minister told Times of Malta that the flames only burned for 18 hours per day in the previous legislature, rather than 24 hours.
The flames only burned for 18 hours per day in the previous legislature, rather than 24 hours. They are now being switched on from 10am to 10pm
She also confirmed that there had been a change in shift: instead of burning from dusk till dawn (6pm to 6am), they are now being switched on from 10am to 10pm.
Asked whether there had been a change in direction, Mr Mizzi’s spokeswoman confirmed the new timetable but played down the move, saying: “There were no particular changes as the flame is switched on 12 hours a day.”
News that the flames were placed on a 12-hour shift had elicited an emotional response from World War II veterans like 90-year-old Stanley Clews, 90, from Sliema .
“They could have waited a couple of years till we’re at the Addolorata (cemetery) before they start switching them on and off,” he said.