SME Chamber President meets MDB Officials
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Water Bowsers- Sustainability for the sector imperative
26 October 2012
Water bowser owners, members of GRTU,
held a general meeting last Thursday to discuss the continued demands from the
Malta Resources Authority (MRA). In its past communications to water bowser
owners MRA has reiterated the need or the obligation of these owners to install
E-Tracking devices on their vehicles.
GRTU is all in the favor of upgrades in
the sector which is much needed during the most months of the year. However the
main issue at present is whether once the price of this resource is
established, will it allow space for this sector to continue sustainable
operations. We agree that nothing is free of cost for no one but we also need
to be made aware of the full cost of operation in the sector. It is already a
cost to have a metered borehole and a yearly finance fee. Hence E-Tracking cost
will further jeopardize this sector.
MRA needs to wake up to today's
reality. Issuing a written notice to
water bowser operators to install an E-Tracking device is the last stance from
this so called regulation. During this general meeting for the sector, it was
agreed that licenses for operation (authorization) is to be paid (€200), but no
tracking fee is to be paid. Once the full cost of operating in the sector is
made known, then GRTU will discuss the sustainability issue with the said
sector.
Whilst water is here to stay, and we
should save every drop, we need to make sure that livelihood of self-employed
in this sector is also protected. A complicated issue! Yes! But what is not in
this island of ours!
