We said then, and we say today, that the company is effectively a near monopoly, with the public having no option but to pay their fees for land telephones and other services due to the lack of proper competition.

With their large turnover then, it must be more now, and if Gibtelecom was then half-owned by government, it is now fully owned by government - so they ought to reduce their charges in the public interest.

Instead, they go for exhorbitant profits, at public expense.

Should there not be an inquiry into govenment companies such as Gibtelecom? And not only on this particular issue but also on some other discriminatory practices.

Yesterday, the company took over John Mckintosh Square to promote one of their products, and there was chief minister Fabian Picardo wearing glasses as if he did not know where he was go ing- and what may be going on at Gibtelecom, of which he is the Chairman.

And there he was praising the government company, which was an act of unfairness on other companies, not only in the specific issue that was being promoted but in other areas as well.

Mr Picardo should remove the' promotional' glasses he was wearing, so that he could see reality and what is going on. AN INQUIRY SHOULD TAKE PLACE NOW.

28-06-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR