The Malta Hotels and Restaurant Association in a statement today referred to the Government’s communication that it will be “issuing nominal tokens to households who experienced a blackout for over 12 hours last week.”

The MHRA said, “no tokens please, all we want is reliable energy supply at the right cost and conditions.”

The Association said that earlier this week it contacted Minister Mizzi with whom immediate cordial meetings were held to establish the facts and a way forward.

Incoming MHRA President Matthew Pace stated that, “it is unacceptable that we have a nation-wide blackout. MHRA has been on the forefront for the past years to spearhead a campaign that has called for a radical reform of the way our energy sector operates and what happened last week proves our point.”

MHRA also complained that the communication process by the Government was “mismanaged, leading to unnecessary rumours and conflicting messages as the idea to distribute tokens was being interpreted as compensation.”

Mr Pace stated that, “the right for compensation is a legal matter and MHRA has reservations on Government’s decision to issue tokens to selected households.”

MHRA made it clear with the Government that as entrepreneurs, hoteliers and restaurateurs are not interested in nominal tokens but rather in having a reliable and consistent energy system that delivers efficiently, at the right cost and with the right conditions.

Mr Pace stated that, “we cannot see the wood for the trees. In our talks with Minister Mizzi reassurance was given to our members that Government will maintain its promise to reduce energy tariffs by 25% across the board by March 2015.”

Furthermore, he said “we called on Government to improve conditions of payments, reflecting seasonality and to consider issuing a scheme addressing late payment interest on past dues. We also discussed the possibility that Enemalta adopts a Quality Service Charter.”

MHRA thanked Minister Mizzi for his prompt support, “as other meetings are planned to take place in the coming days to establish specific energy management actions which encourage the sustainable growth of the tourism sector.”

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