Malta has just exited a scorching heatwave that was intensified by widespread and prolonged power outages, affecting everywhere from homes to the nationalist hospital.

This has led to a number of entities criticising the government for its lack of preparedness for the electricity demand with some announcing potential proposals to help solve the issue.

The Nationalist local councillors are among such critics and they’ve specifically expressed frustration at the lack of information provided to them.

“The complaint was raised that our local representatives are not being adequately consulted or informed about the decisions and reasons behind the power cuts in their respective localities.”

“Furthermore, they are not given access to scheduled or anticipated power outage information. In fact, even when they attempt to obtain information, they encounter closed doors.”

The councillors further admitted that the uncertainty born from lack of transparency has led to a new type anxiety within constituents.

“A new form of anxiety is seemingly growing in our constituents, an anxiety resulting from fear that the light could be cut out at any moment, a fear of the unexpected,” the Nationalist councillors explained.

The party ended its statement with two appeals; firstly, for the government to “understand the realities faced by patients in hospitals, the elderly, parents of young children, individuals dependent on electricity for medical needs, business owners, and entrepreneurs whose funds are drained by the minute”.

And secondly to “at least communicate the information available, if any, and maintain open communication with Local Councils regarding power outages so that residents and businesses can be informed about the latest developments.”

The statement was signed by PN MP Darren Carabott and Councillor and Minority Leader of the Fgura Local Council Charles Bonello.

Do you think that local councils should be given more information regarding power cuts in their localities?