Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today said that all the people responsible for the structural defects at Mater Dei Hospital should shoulder responsibility.

The PM was making comments to the media in Latvia, where he is attending a summit on Eastern Europe, in the wake of ARUP’s technical report which stipulated that the concrete used for the building of the hospital was weaker than the specifications listed in the contract.

Dr Muscat said that a second report on the issue, being drawn up for by former judge Phillip Sciberras, will be completed and forwarded to government shortly.

The technical report by ARUP states that the concrete used at Mater Dei is similar to that used in pavements and is not as the specifications set in the agreement, he said.

Dr Muscat said that the government has now requested a meeting with Skanska. “There are some issues on which Skanska had taken decisions with the previous administration, and political responsibility should also be shouldered. I do believe that Skanska, regardless of the interpretation of agreements, has a huge responsibility to carry.”

Dr Muscat said that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had said that the government was mudslinging the issue, making a side note that “mud is stronger than the concrete used.”

The Prime Minister assured that all measures to repair the hospital’s structure are being taken, adding that this will cost €5 million more than planned to repair the Emergency Unit.  The cost of repairing all blocks needing amendments will cost approximately €30 million.

“This is a very serious issue, and responsibility should be shouldered. Dr Busuttil’s attitude is not on, and he should also ensure that responsibility is taken by whoever is accountable.”