Energy theft | Government wants to go ‘after the big fish’

Consumers involved in the theft of electricity from Enemalta have been urged to come forward and provide Enemalta with relevant information that may lead government to capture "the big fish".

According to Article 88 of the Electricity Supply Regulations, consumers found to have tampered with the meters, theft of electricity and unregistered consumption have to pay for the unbilled supply, plus interest and a penalty equivalent to 10% of the supply obtained illegally allowing perpetrators avoid criminal proceedings. This procedure was introduced in 2006.

He said that customers who were involved in the scam would enjoy protection under the whistleblower act. "Persons who come forward with information on big and small crimes will be granted protection. This will be applied to anyone who helps uncover the spider that spun the web, starting from the theft of energy to the Enemalta oil procurement scandal."

According to Article 88 of the Electricity Supply Regulations, consumers found to have tampered with the meters, theft of electricity and unregistered consumption have to pay for the unbilled supply, plus interest and a penalty equivalent to 10% of the supply obtained illegally. This procedure was introduced in 2006.

Addressing a public consultation meeting in Gzira, parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici said consumers who abused of the system will be asked to pay their dues and an additional penalty and above all provide information on the theft.

"The government took this decision to allow Enemalta uncover the masterminds behind this theft," Bonnici said.

Last week, Paul Pantalleresco, a former Enemalta employee, was jailed for two years after he admitted to bribery and tampering some 250 Smart meters.

Another two Enemalta employees who were arraigned yesterday, pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody. In the coming days more Enemlata employees are expected to be arraigned over the same charges.

The junior minister said that over the past 11 months the main areas of focus were the reform in the justice system and the introduction of a number of laws, including the landmark whistleblower act, the removal of prescription on corruption charges brought against politicians, the changes introduced in the Church - State agreement and the party financing law, which is set to be approved by summer.  

Bonnici said the government is committed to introducing a number of changes in the justice system based on the 450 proposals put forward by the justice reform commission led by Judge Emeritus Giovanni Bonello.

"Adding more judiciary members will not resolve the problem," Bonnici said, stressing that first and foremost the government would be addressing logistical issues. He said the Dutch justice minister will be visiting Malta in the coming weeks to seal an agreement between the two countries our staff receiving training in time management among others.

Acknowledging that the system was afflicted with a number of structural problems, Bonnici said "One of the main problems is the extensive waiting times in court cases and one of the proposals we are looking at is an increase in court rooms and assigning more judges and magistrates to the court of appeal for example. This will definitely lead to a reduction in waiting times, which currently run into years not months."

"We will also be introducing measures to encourage people to enter mediation proceedings rather than open court cases," he said, adding that "it does not make sense that in 2014 court cases are heard between 9am and 1pm, with all cases called at 9am."

Another project the government is currently working on is the introduction of an IT system which would allow notaries to confirm basic information on clients to facilitate their work, without compromising anybody's privacy.