Updated 1200
Minister apologises as slow-drying concrete causes Regional Road traffic jams:
Traffic on the Regional Road was at a standstill due to wet concrete from overnight works and the closure of part of Corradino Hill for Eid al Fitr celebrations, causing chaos from St Julians to Cospicua. Originally set to reopen at 5am, the road stayed closed until 9am due to the concrete not drying in time. Infrastructure Malta cited “technical complications” and apologised. Transport Minister Chris Bonett held the contractor responsible but acknowledged unforeseen issues. Similar incidents occurred in the past, like in Għadira Bay in May last year. Tailbacks extended to Marsa and Sta Luċija, affecting both north and southbound traffic. Despite reopening, traffic remained slow. Further road works are scheduled. At Corradino, traffic slowed due to Eid celebrations, aggravating delays. Motorists expressed frustration, citing significant delays. PN leader Bernard Grech criticised the situation, advocating for improved traffic management and alternative transport incentives. (Times of Malta)
‘Stop unsustainable spending,’ Bencini says on daily €590,000 debt interest: Graham Bencini, the shadow finance minister, criticised Malta’s escalating national debt, which rose by €910 million in 2022, reaching €9.7 billion by the year’s end. He highlighted the daily interest cost of servicing the debt at €590,000. Bencini attributed €4 billion of this debt increase to Robert Abela’s tenure as Prime Minister, citing data from the National Statistics Office. Debt servicing expenses amounted to €214 million by December 2023, increasing by €41 million from 2022. Bencini expressed concern over the government’s decision to issue an additional €1 billion in debt, foreseeing higher servicing costs. Malta’s deficit in 2022 stood at €982.2 million, equivalent to 5.7% of its GDP, ranking it fourth highest in the EU. Bencini emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility to mitigate the burden on future generations, urging the government to curb wasteful spending and control unsustainable expenses in line with IMF recommendations. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Regulator asks MPT to park number of buses after employee’s judicial protest
The transport regulator has instructed Malta Public Transport to park vehicles identified as unfit for the road in a legal complaint filed by an employee, pending additional inspections. This directive was issued by Transport Malta on Tuesday evening in response to significant allegations made by an MPT employee in a legal complaint submitted earlier that day. Transport Malta has directed that the buses mentioned in the legal complaint be taken out of service until the regulator conducts its own inspections. (Maltatoday)
Airport registers monthly passenger record
In March, Malta International Airport welcomed a record-breaking 633,826 passengers, surpassing the 600,000 milestone for the first time. This marked a 30.1% increase compared to March 2023. The first quarter of 2024 ended with a total of 1,573,712 passenger movements. The airport noted a peak in passenger volumes on March 28th, with 27,250 passengers, coinciding with the start of P&O Cruises’ Cruise and Fly services, which will run until October. (The Malta Independent)
ARMS generates €20m from residential electricity meters
According to data presented in parliament, revenue generated by ARMS through the rental and installation of electricity and water meters has been consistently increasing. In 2019, they earned €18.5 million from such rentals, followed by €19.2 million in 2020, €19.9 million in 2021, €20.6 million in 2022, and €21.1 million in the previous year. Notably, this income solely stems from the rental of electricity meters in households. Additionally, revenue from water meters in households amounted to €14.4 million in 2019, €14.8 million in 2020, €15.1 million in 2021, €15.6 million in 2022, and €15.8 million in 2023. (Times of Malta)
