Silence is (not always) golden

by
Censu Galea
Minister for Competitiveness and Communications

The sixties brought about a novel interpretation in music. The boom of new musical sounds was emerging and most of those who lived through that decade vividly recall many of the then musical hits, which are still selling (competition apart!) and appeal to younger generations in our day. Back in 1967, one of the foremost bands at that time, The Tremeloes, had released the epic track Silence is Golden, which was destined to immediate success. Today, thirty seven years later, the very same tune is still playing the radio waves, bringing back memories of those days. Silence is Golden, but my eyes still see they sang.

I found it apt to have a loan of The Tremeloes’ title track, and with all due apologies to the band, slightly modify its name, as there come instances in life, many of which gained through experience in the vibrant field of politics, when silence is not always golden. A pulsating instance is our ports, and their operations upcoming reform.

The Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, together with the Malta Maritime Authority, has been sounding its outlook at the issue incessantly. We have been indicating those pertinent areas, paramount for improvement, with the utmost responsibility and clarity. It has also been pointed out, and I quote from the report issued by the Ports Consultative Council that, “the ports and the port areas, port management institutions, employments systems and standards used, and the financial regime” are to, upon recommendation of the same Council, “to be covered in order for Government to propagate such a national ports policy.”

It is at this stage of the essence to tip that the council was composed of all the key stakeholders operating within our ports being amongst others, the Malta Maritime Authority, the Cargo Handling Co. Ltd., the Pilotage Corps, Tug Malta Ltd, the Port Workers, the Association of Ship Agents, Ship Suppliers and Insurance Agents respectively, also complimented by the Chamber of Commerce, FOI, GWU and UHM, all of whom possess a copy of these recommendations.

We did encounter a divergence in certain opinions; we did succeed in delivering a non-consensual report; but reflecting the frame of mind of all participants I maintain that the Council included the whole spectrum of interests which resulted in a myriad of opinions but with one common belief – the urgent and complex magnitude of this reform. What I do not maintain and understand is that on a matter so frail but critical to our economy, those concerned voice favourable positions in my office and elsewhere, but then when it comes to the adoption of the proposals in question, tend to refrain and sit on the fence.

Is this a case whereby many are keeping personal interests close at heart and embark on a finger pointing exercise? Is it the case whereby a ‘you are to blame more than me’ attitude is being advocated? Is it the case whereby silence is prevailing due to an unjust and untenable private formulation of opinion that no one is partly responsible for the individual reforms to be affected, but everyone else is? Will stakeholders identified to be significant players, and therefore a primary part of the reform, be with us when this kicks off the ground?

Let me put facts to paper and describe the slow and painstaking voyage, our acquaintance (for the purpose of this article) ‘the container’ encounters before being delivered to the end user. Upon reaching destination Malta, our acquaintance is assisted by pilotage, tugs, mooring men, shore foremen, ship foremen, tally clerks, port workers, cargo handling, a privileged private contractor substituting the handling of cargo operator’s (that is the Cargo Handling Co. Ltd.) responsibility (sic!), the ship agent and, maybe finally, the truck driver. It is only then, that ‘the container’ reaches you…obviously more posh than its initial value as anyone encountered on the way charges him for the service. It is therefore in many who, in some way or another, so gladly contribute their share to the final amount on your bill. Further surprising to that is that for the same container from the same point of departure to the same point of arrival, tariffs always seem to vary and are not consistent with one another.

Mathematical logic is there to be used: reducing tariffs does not necessarily mean reduced income to the stakeholders since the desired and ultimate result of having Maltese ports more competitive when compared to others in our region, is bound to be an additional attraction to a potential increase in throughput volumes of cargo, possibly reflecting in earnings which could surpass those enjoyed at present. If we are not competitive, this mathematical logic does not make sense.

Is it possible that none of the above raised voice questioning the reform? Malta is so famous when it comes to robust and vibrant discussions! Will government be happily spared from this when implementing the port reform? Allow me to call upon those who are well aware of their personal interests that I have no intention of reaching a status quo but as clearly indicated will be embarking on a total restructuring exercise, called upon insistently by the many interested parties, now reigning in golden silence.

We will have to wait and see if finally…this silence breaks.