Now that we are paying €20 (Lm8.59) for 3.5 gallons of petrol, could someone enlighten me why while we are still paying all this tax, and why?
This situation is not being curbed with other measures such as LPG conversion, which would halve the price of fuel for motorists.
I feel that those responsible in advising and leading the public are either waiting for a miracle, or else have no interest what people’s requirements are.
Has Malta any chance of finding oil or gas?
For information’s sake, in Australia and the UK, LPG conversion is already in process. It is reported that LPG cars produce 90% fewer particulate emissions and 90% less nitrogen oxides than diesel engines. LPG engines produce 75% less carbon monoxide than petrol, and have 87% less ozone forming potential. If you spill LPG it evaporates rather than soaking into and polluting the ground.
LPG engines run up to 50% more quietly than diesel engines. Crash and fire tests also show that LPG tanks are safer than petrol.

Michael Neville Cassar
Valletta

During the parliamentary sitting held on 23 April 2007, Dr Michael Axiaq tabled question no. 25439 to Dr Austin Gatt, then Minister for MIITI. The question tried to establish the progress achieved regarding efforts to recover the monies owed to Malta by Russia, in respect of the Timber Carriers built by the MDD for the Muscovite company Sudoimport, which at that point in time exceeded at least Lm45 million.
(The first in a series of such questions was no. 5564, tabled by Dr Axiaq on 6 May 2004.)
In parliamentary sitting no 519, held on 30 April 2007, Dr Austin Gatt replied that an answer would be given in the next sitting.
It is a good thing that I did not hold my breath waiting.
Other monies, amounts as yet not made public, are due to Malta from Russia. These include repayments under the Malta-Soviet Union trade Protocol of 1987-1990 and the Malta-Russia Trade Exchange Protocol of 1992. Interest accruing on these funds has no doubt increased the sum due considerably.
Recovering these huge amounts of monies would definitely give the Maltese economy a boost.
That Russia has the funds there is no doubt, given the fact that it has recently honoured her pledge to cancel U$2.2 billion dollars in debt by poor African nations.
What is keeping the government of the Russian Federation, as ‘State Continuer’ of the former Soviet Union, from honouring payment of the debt? Can the Russian ambassador to Malta inform us in lieu of the local authorities?
The arrogance shown by the authorities, who steadfastly refuse to inform the public about the results of their efforts, if any are being made, in trying to recover this huge amount of money from the Russian nation, is incredible.
On the other hand they repeatedly request us taxpayers to make sacrifices which, more often than not, are a direct result of lack of good management compounded by a good dollop of incompetence.
The Maltese government should seriously get its act together and maximise its efforts in trying to recover this money or given the current scenario, obtain settlement in kind. Oil, petroleum products and allied derivatives would not be a bad idea.

Alfred W. Mifsud
Birkirkara

I am writing this letter as a reply to the letter sent to this newspaper and which was published on 15 June 2008 on page 24, signed by John Mifsud.
I am writing this letter in my capacity as advocate representing my father and his brothers, and AM Developers Limited, who had submitted MEPA application 4286/99, on 6 August 1999, for the development of underground garages and two floors of apartments on the land known as Ta’ Bibu in St Paul’s Bay, which land was always within the temporary provision schemes.
Mr John Mifsud has conveniently omitted to inform the public that he is the owner of an apartment in Triq it-Tonn, St Paul’s Bay, which apartment has a terrace that faces the sea and has up to now, unlimited and unobstructed sea and country views.
What Mr John Mifsud has forgotten to inform the public is the following
- that the said application was submitted on land which was in the Temporary Provision Schemes and which land has been in the Temporary Provision Schemes for decades. This means that the said land was always deemed as land fit for development by MEPA and previously by PAPB, and most certainly when Mr John Mifsud purchased his apartment he knew full well, that this land in front of his apartment was fit for development.
- that the application was submitted on the 16 August 1999, when the said land was within the development scheme.
- that MEPA has no objection as to the type of development and such development is in conformity with the terraced house development in accordance to the building development scheme of the time.
- that the alleged archaeological ‘finds’ being thrown at the developers are to say the least ludicrous, as on the site in question there are a set of cart ruts which are 2cm at their deepest and 10 metres long, which cart ruts the developers themselves have also agreed to preserve and protect and keep them conserved and enjoyed by the general public;
- that the case is still sub judice, and that is totally unethical to write articles of this nature when the Appeals Board is still deliberating about the said case;
- that in all the historical and archaeological remains of any relevance, in the said area.
- that the said letter was written with the sole purpose, as to try and cause alarm bells as if this development is some monster, whereby the said author requests the Honourable Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi to get involved in the application personally.
Kindly be informed that the developers have nothing to hide and have no objection whatsoever for the Prime Minister to scrutinise the said application.
This is a ‘bona fide’ development application, which was entered into in 1999, and there is nothing of archaeological relevance or ecological importance, on the said site of the development, as these third party objectors attempt to portray.

Mark Attard Montalto,
Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Valletta

Congratulations to the administration of the Labour Party for agreeing to convene a meeting of the executive which will set a date for electing a new administration and executive committee.
The administration’s term is due to end in January but there have been many calls for early elections to complete the process of renewal, which started with the election of the leadership.
This man called Joseph never ceases to amaze me with his vigorous display of enthusiasm to open all the doors to allow the sweet smell of fresh air in the party. Now, very ably aided by Anglu Farrugia and Toni Abela, the leadership has to be congratulated for the last courageous move.
The ball will soon be in the delegates’ court to choose the right material to fill up the empty seats of the party’s executive body. The delegates will need to adjudicate each and every contestant, sway away from personal sympathies or artificial images of competence and judge the contestants on their merits and their past performance.
Although it is hoped that none of the nominees would be a child of a lesser God, the risk of confidence tricksters in the pack would not be totally excluded. As an old time campaigner I urge our delegates to be aware, confidence tricksters are dangerous and hard to detect.
On the other hand valid contenders like Stefan Zrinzo-Azzopardi, the current president, should not be sidelined simply because he belonged to the defunct team and to respect the process of change. It is said that a change is as good as a holiday, however the contradicting saying should apply in the final act. ‘If an engine works well why change it?’
My candid assessment on the party leader’s campaign and election process is that they were prim, proper and beyond reproach thanks mainly to the vigilance of the party’s electoral commission, although at times it appeared too strong handed.
Now that the names started coming in to fill the administrative and executive posts, the Commission needs to go back to full alert mode – as of now – to prevent unfair party media exposure aimed at giving an obvious advantage to contenders that have the advantage of incumbency.
One TV News cameras are currently being conspicuous with the way they focus their cameras on Jason Micallef out of context, stealing the limelight from the new leader. If we truly want to be seen as providing a level playing field, these tricks have to cease forthwith. The Commission ought to be noting what the televiewers are already complaining about.
The Commission must ensure that all One TV camerapersons, film editors, news editors, journalists and newscasters exercise proper and balanced conduct at all times with all contestants. They need to revert to their past impeccable performance and remember that they owe their loyalty to the station, the party and the viewers, and not just to their paymaster.
Labour led by Joseph Muscat is proving that it’s an inclusive party with a working space for everyone within an ambience of fair play and a spirit of competition based on meritocracy. Condoning tricks and selfish personal campaigns, by proved incompetent persons with a gift to sell themselves cosmetically and effectively, are not on our leader’s agenda.
The revamped Labour Party, its members and the electorate shall only settle for a truly transparent process without a blemish; more so now at this second phase of important and direly needed change.

Charles J. Buttigieg
Mellieha