Had government opted for gas earlier, bills would already be cheaper – Muscat

Labour Leader Joseph Muscat said that had the Nationalist government opted for gas instead of Heavy Fuel Oil for the Delimara power station extension, "energy bills would be cheaper already."

Muscat was speaking during a political activity held in Xewkija, Gozo, where the Labour leader reiterated much of the electoral proposals unveiled earlier during the second week of the 2013 electoral campaign.

Muscat also took the opportunity to take the Nationalist administration to task over several issues, among them revelations in the media regarding a gas pipeline negotiation, as well as its criticism of Labour's energy proposals.

Muscat referred to the recent revelations made by former Enemalta manager John Pace in the media, wherein he recounted negotiations between Enemalta and Italian energy giant Eni regarding a gas pipeline.

The pipeline was to be built thanks to private sector investment, and negotiations also included a 25-year-old contract.

Muscat said that it was the Nationalist Party that had chosen to ignore the opportunity that this project represented, pointing out that it is the same party that is today insisting that such a contract is not even possible.

The Labour leader said that had Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi opted to invest in gas technology to begin with "today we wouldn't be discussing how to bring down energy bills."

He also noted that despite this, the Nationalist Party is now starting to approach gas as a desirable and viable fuel source for energy generation "despite how he shied away from switching to gas when he had the opportunity to do so."

Muscat said that it is only now that the Nationalist Party changing track and considering converting the Delimara power station extension to gas "even before it has started functioning properly."

Muscat questioned: "In whose interest is it that our country remains dependent on oil?"

Muscat also reiterated the PL's recent proposals to provide free childcare. He said that this proposal will mean 3,000 new spots for children over five years, adding that it will enable parents to work, while also generating 500 new jobs.

In this address, Muscat placed considerable emphasis on Gozo's role in Malta's economic and overall prosperity, pledging to work for the much-needed changes that need to be brought about.

He said that Gozo's neglect needed to be decisively reversed, and that a new government needed to ensure the generation of more jobs in Gozo, while also invigorating the Gozitan tourism industry.

"Others are saying that they will work hard. But when they had the chance to do this before, they did nothing," Muscat said, adding that while the PL has been forthcoming with "concrete" proposals, the PN has been silent.