FOI calls on Enemalta to improve efficiency

Industry must insist on a good quality and reliable service from Enemalta without any increases in costs, the Federation of Industry said yesterday, making it clear that this would have to be achieved through better efficiency.

It was reacting to recent power cuts and subsequent reactions by industry which brought in their wake comments from the chairman of Enemalta Corporation, Prof. Robert Ghirlando.

The media reported Prof. Ghirlando as saying that "one can increase reliability of the supply by installing more equipment but everything comes at a price", the FOI said in a statement.

"This seems to imply that a mediocre service can be supplied at the present high level of rates that industry is charged for its power consumption. But that a decent service requires an even higher price. This to the federation is unacceptable," it said.

"Industry and the public at large have a right to a good service and it is the duty of the Malta Resources Authority to ensure that Enemalta Corporation gives a good service at a reasonable price that allows industry to compete.

"The authority should moreover hold Enemalta responsible for compensation of losses incurred by industry through power failures.

"This country is burdened by two power stations manned at above average cost by the only energy provider - Enemalta Corporation - simply because the country cannot afford to be left without power. With all the double cost involved in maintaining two power stations, industry is still not being provided with uninterrupted service. The situation requires urgent attention."

The FOI insisted that the Enemalta board of directors, prompted by the Malta Resources Authority, should ensure that efficiency was increased all round in the corporation, in the same manner that industry was expected to do continually to retain its clients to whom it exported its goods and services.

"Industry manages to survive by improving the quality of its goods and services. In several instances it finds itself struggling to do this at a lower price to its clients that is achieved through an increase in its efficiency and through a lowering of its costs. Enemalta should start thinking on these terms!"