Liquigas Malta to take legal action against distributors for illegal filling of cylinders

Liquigas Malta has filed a court case against Easygas and two distributors for what they believe was the illegal filling of their cylinders.

In a statement issued by the company this afternoon, Liquigas Malta said that the police had not yet pressed any charges against identified offenders.

This, they said, was despite the fact that a month had already passed since they were given evidence which showed that Easygas operators, aided by two distributors, were illegally filling Liquigas cylinders at the Easygas yard in Luqa.

Liquigas said that the video evidence was handed over to the Malta Resources Authority (MRA) and to the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) following a judicial protest which was filed on 18 December 2013.

"The company today initiated a court case against the offenders for damages suffered following the video evidence clearly showing green and yellow cylinders belonging to Liquigas being illegally filled at Easygas yard, when this yard has no licence to carry out cylinder filling activity," the statement read.

"The persons filling the cylinders were Easygas employees and two gas cylinder distributors. During the illegal activity, makeshift equipment was used while safety rules and necessary precautions were not respected."

"Fake Liquigas seals were being used misleading the consumers into believing that they were buying a cylinder properly filled by Liquigas and regulated by the authorities, when in fact the cylinder was abusively filled without the necessary controls to ensure safety and quality control."

On its part, Liquigas said that it was trying to ensure the proper functioning and, above all, the safety of the energy sector.

Liquigas Malta also urged consumers to check LPG cylinder seals before use.  Liquigas Malta genuine seals have an injection point on top, between the words 'Liquigas' and 'Malta' and a square profile rim.

"As safety and service remain a priority for Liquigas, the company is offering to replace any of its yellow and green cylinders, which are still unused and which have a fake seal. These unused cylinders with fake seals will be picked up by Liquigas from homes and businesses and will be replaced with regular, and properly filled, Liquigas cylinders at no additional cost."

For further details and assistance, consumers may contact Liquigas Call Centre which is available 24/7, on telephone number 2165 1661/5.