Poor governance in Transport Malta's Maritime Division, PN says; TM responds
The Nationalist Party on Tuesday strongly condemns the Government's poor governance in Transport Malta's Maritime Division, which has left officials without the necessary resources to ensure safety at sea.Information obtained by the Partit Nazzjonali
The Nationalist Party on Tuesday strongly condemns the Government's poor governance in Transport Malta's Maritime Division, which has left officials without the necessary resources to ensure safety at sea.
Information obtained by the Partit Nazzjonalista reveals that even in the maritime sector - one of the most sensitive industries - abuse of public funds, leadership incompetence, and inefficiency are alarmingly evident.
The saga began with the failure of Transport Malta's tender for five new RHIBs (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats), which were declared unseaworthy by an independent surveyor. The Partit Nazzjonalista immediately called for a full investigation into this case, including a police inquiry into the tendering process. The National Auditor also identified irregularities, noting that the tender was adjudicated within just 24 hours - raising serious questions about transparency and governance.
Under significant pressure from the PN and independent media, the tender was eventually cancelled, the PN said. However, in June of last year, Transport Malta issued another expression of interest to lease three RHIBs for a short two-month period - from 18th September to 17th November - at a cost of €94,000. This decision not only lacks logic but also reflects wasteful spending of public funds, as the period does not cover the peak summer season - when maritime activity is at its highest - and leaves the most critical months without enforcement. Worse still, it appears that Transport Malta's two existing RHIBs were not utilised during this period.
The PN said it is informed that a new RHIB of the same type costs between €70,000 and €80,000. However, the Labour Government, due to incompetence and disregard for taxpayers' money, spent nearly €100,000 renting boats that could have been purchased for less. Furthermore, two evaluators involved in the cancelled RHIB tender are also evaluators in this latest tender and remain in their positions despite pending investigations from the initial case. This raises further doubts about the integrity of the entire process.
This latest scandal follows a series of failures in the maritime sector, including the Transport Malta contraventions scandal, where more than half of the fines issued by maritime enforcement officers went missing, as well as allegations that enforcement officers were forced to lie under oath.
The Labour Government has completely lost control, is compromising maritime safety, and has lost public confidence in its ability to manage such a crucial sector. Transport Malta's Maritime Enforcement Division is essential for our country's maritime industry, but it is being neglected and undermined by a government mired in scandals and inefficiency, the party added.
The PN said considers the maritime sector crucial and maritime safety a top priority. We are committed to ensuring that maritime officials have the necessary resources to effectively carry out their duties. A new PN Government will implement reforms to restore transparency and ensure the proper use of public funds, so that Malta's maritime sector can once again become a sector of excellence.
Transport Malta responds
In a response to the PN on Tuesday, Transport Malta denied the "unfounded" allegations and "reminded" that it already gave its own version of this case in previous statements.
It said that the acquisition process was done in accordance to the regulations of public acquisitions and followed the established procedures with the RHIBs being verified by independent experts who ascertained that they did not meet the necessary specifications, which is why the authority ceased to use them "immediately" and "took the necessary actions to safeguard its interests." It added that to date, the authority made no payment for these vessels.
Transport Malta said that the rental of 3 RHIBs referred was a "provisional measure" to ensure the continued operations of maritime enforcement until the process to acquire new vessels was concluded. It said that the RHIBs are certified for commercial use according to the Commercial Vessel Regulations with the involvement of an independent surveyor and said that as a "statement of fact" the €100,000 that Castillo mentions is incorrect and so denied by the authority.
Additionally, It said that Castillo is incorrect about the current RHIBs in its possession not being used in peak season, with 2 RHIBs in its possession that were used. It went on to note that Castillo's figures of €70,000 and €80,000 in approximating the cost of new RHIBs are incorrect and go to show that he "is not speaking about RHIBs certified for the job of maritime enforcement with their necessary specifications."
Transport Malta concluded in assuring that it is proceeding according to the observations of the National Audit Office and is following the acquisition recommendations of every proceeding, including that of the new RHIBs. It said that it is committed to continue functioning transparently and keeping the highest level of maritime security whilst denying unfounded allegations which are not based on "concrete facts."
'Opposition's incompetence in maritime sector is unlimited' - PL
"The Opposition says one thing, while the facts state something else. Worse still, Opposition spokesman Ivan Castillo is recycling incorrect information and inventing new lies to try and feel relevant," the Labour Party said in a statement on Tuesday, replying to the PN.
It said that in recent years, a Labour government has invested so much in the maritime sector that it has led our country to become one of the most attractive destinations for commerce and for vessels stopping at our ports. Unprecedented investment in shore-to-ship power for vessels to use electricity generated from cleaner sources. Apart from this, the status of the Maltese flag has been strengthened without precedent, so much so that last year we broke all tonnage records in the maritime registry.
It added that our country went up to sixth place in the world and we have once again confirmed ourselves as the largest and best maritime flag in Europe as well as the largest flag in super yachts in the world. "Despite our geographical size, we are breaking one record after another which is positioning us as leaders with the rest of the world," the PL said.
"What a difference from what the Opposition is trying to spin. A clear case of sour grapes. Worse still, it is a pity that in this matter, in which there has always been an agreement to work together, Ivan Castillo and the Nationalist Party decided to attack him for their desperate and partisan purposes. The success in this sector is supported by facts, and is evident in the investment made and witnessed by investors who are constantly choosing our country," it added.
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