Enemalta Act aimed at modernising the state entity – government

The Enemalta Act to allow the transfers of the corporation’s assets and liabilities to an Enemalta plc is aimed at modernising the state entity, the Minister for the Energy said this evening.

The Ministry was reacting to a statement by the Opposition in which it said the government didn’t want to discuss the ElectroGas agreement and the memorandum of understanding signed with China in September.

After the Opposition’s refusal to discuss the Enemalta Act before the publication of the contracts, government said the PN was against the modernisation of Enemalta.

According to the Energy Minister, the Act “has nothing to do with Shanghai Power Electric’s planned investment in Enemalta”.

The government said the Opposition not only planned on hindering the debate, but has already declared it will be voting against the Act.

The government added that the Opposition had all the required time to evaluate the Act.

“Contrary to what the Opposition is saying, the objective of the Act is to transform Enemalta in a modern company… one which doesn’t remain a political football but is transformed into a modern entity,” the government said.

It added that the Opposition is interpreting the changes at Enemalta to suit its “weak decision” in opposing the proposals.

“The government’s proposals are clearly explained in detail in the Act. This government is working to turn Enemalta into an entity that generates economy,” it added.

On its part, the PN said not even half of the government’s MPs were present in parliament for the debate and reiterated its call for the publication of the ElectroGas contract.

The PN also took umbrage at the Speaker’s decision not to suspend the sitting after the Opposition’s request for a ruling. Instead, Speaker Anglu Farrugia said the deputy speaker should take over while he studied the ruling. At this stage, the PN requested a quorum, and this was not met.

The PN also expressed its disappointment for the presence of only four Cabinet Members during the 30 minutes allocated for parliamentary questions – the time which allows members of parliament to pose questions to the ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

A quorum also was not reached in the Public Accounts Committee, which should have discussed the contract of the transfer of the Malta Shipbuilding.

“None of the government representatives turned up for the meeting,” the PN said.