After hearing the government’s statements in response to the criticism he doled out last Sunday on the issue of the Sea Malta privatisation and the investment in the Brindisi port, Malta Labour Party leader Alfred Sant said the Industry, Investment and Information Technology ministry resorted to misinformation or simply gave no answer.

“When I accused the government of squandering Lm4 million on investment in the bankrupt Brindisi harbour, the ministry claimed the transaction had been hidden or carried out under Labour government between 1996 and 1998,” said Dr Sant. Instead, this investment was carried out under Nationalist governments.

He mentioned that the government failed to respond to his attack regarding the Sea Malta privatisation in which he said the company was neglected and the government’s true intentions were kept from the Sea Malta board.

Dr Sant said this is an issue of national concern since if the company is handed over to foreign powers, there will be no guarantee for the transport of merchandise between Malta and the rest of Europe.

The MLP leader said the truth is that the government told the Italian company due to buy Sea Malta that it would close down the company if the sale does not go through.

Dr Sant added that while addressing the public in Valletta last Sunday, he revealed that the new Sea Malta chairman, Ivan Falzon, had a hand in the Brindisi investment.

The investment in Brindisi will be financed with money raised from the sale of Pender Place and Mercury House in St Julian’s.

“These facts bring the government to shame because it is obvious that it does not grasp or look out for the national interest,” added the Opposition Leader.

He concluded that the government instead squanders money and pats itself on the back while Sea Malta goes under, instead of trying to save it.