Sant accuses Gonzi of playing with words

Labour leader Alfred Sant called on the government yesterday to stop deceiving the people and declare which services will be affected by a surcharge.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the MLP committee in Gozo, Dr Sant recalled a statement that the Prime Minister had made in August.

"Dr Gonzi had told journalists at a monthly briefing that government finance was being affected by soaring oil prices. He had said that the government would be able to absorb the effect brought about by an increase in oil prices," Dr Sant said.

The Labour leader claimed that Dr Gonzi had played with words, as the consumer would now carry the burden of the increase in oil prices. In June a barrel of oil cost $35 and in August the price had gone up to $42, reaching $49 a barrel in October. The price this month had gone down to $41, which was less than the price in August when the Prime Minister had said the government would absorb the increase.

"Following Dr Gonzi's reasoning, there should be no increases in electricity rates," the Labour leader said.

Between 1996 and 1998, the then Labour government had increased electricity and water prices because Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation were losing around Lm15 million annually. Notwithstanding the promises made by the Nationalists in opposition at the time, the Fenech Adami administration had implemented the same tariffs when they came to power.

The biggest problem of the country was that the Nationalist government was no longer credible, Dr Sant said. "How could the people believe Dr Gonzi when the government used two weights and two measures?"

Referring to the Mater Dei hospital, Dr Sant said the government had accepted to give Skanska Lm139 million even though expert advice to the Prime Minister suggested that the government should not have accepted to pay more than Lm135 million.

The government had introduced the eco tax in summer, from which an extra Lm4 million would be netted. "The money from eco-taxes will now be paid to Skanska," Dr Sant said.

Among the most important issues being neglected by the Nationalists was Gozo and its special needs. The Gozitans lacked opportunities since the economy of the island was suffering.

The government had an obligation to ensure the operation of a helicopter service since the Gozo Channel services alone were not enough.