Labour whip Joe Mizzi lamented in Parliament the fact that much had been promised in respect of the ports’ reform, yet nothing much had been delivered, apart from the fact that the port operator had been changed. Quoting local newspapers, he said he also felt that the delay has gone on for too long.

He was speaking on a motion regarding the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) estimates for 2006-2007

“Every single nook and cranny of Grand Harbour needs to be seriously developed,“ said Mr Mizzi.

Expressing concern about the constantly changing completion date and estimated cost for the Mgarr terminal in Gozo – Lm11m, Lm13m, Lm14.5m and now Lm19m – he demanded to know when it would be ready.

Forcefully speaking out about what he called the current dreadful state of port security, Mr Mizzi mentioned the appalling condition of the Msida Yacht Marina. “Is this the disgrace we want tourists to see: the registration of sub-standard sea-craft that are more than 25 years old, and the fact that sailors who are not qualified, mostly from Georgia, are being given work permits by MMA, to work on Maltese-registered ships,” he asked.

Regarding MMA personnel, he said he felt very strongly that they have the ability to bring Malta’s ports to the fore, but are being held back by the people in the driving seat. Mr Mizzi ended by promising that “everyone who is capable will have a place at MMA with a Labour Government, in order to further improve our ports and the Mediterranean area.”

Labour spokesman for Financial and Maritime Services José Herrera was perhaps slightly more optimistic, but he agreed with Mr Mizzi that there had been a clear misappropriation of funds. “Estimating Lm1.6 million for operational expenses, when half a million less was spent, and again reserving the same amount this year, is all too much,” he said.

Mr Herrera was concerned about the authority profits amounting to Lm1.85 million, no appropriation to the government having taken place, as well as profit estimates for 2007 being Lm270,000 less then last year’s, when the number of berths and pontoons had been increased. His main worry, however, was over the Lm2,041,000 allocated for furniture and office supplies, “more than half of the MMA’s income.

With regard to sea craft registration, Dr Herrera said he felt that the country was doing well, increasing registered tonnage to 129,691,025 in October 2005, which put Malta among the top five ship registration countries.

When he opened the debate, Competitiveness and Communi-cations Minister Censu Galea had detailed the projects undertaken by the authority, namely the Maritime Trade Centre, the Mgarr terminal, accessibility to Grand Harbour and an overhaul of the Port Directorate. He admitted that although these project had not yet been accomplished, the ports reform aims to comprehensively change the system currently in operation.

Mr Galea did admit to certain problems that had arisen with regard to berthing facilities. “Accommodating 16,000 sea craft is a problem not too easily solved, and this problem is increased by the fact that citizens must be able to use the shore for their own purposes. Zones for swimmers have been established, as have berths and pontoons, so it is imperative that boat-owners regard these swimming areas as sacred,” he said.

Concluding the debate, the minister made it clear that changing the port operator was not the be all and end all of the ports’ reform. He stressed that when the call for tender was issued, Cargo Handling Co. Ltd, the previous port operator – who, in the Minister’s opinion, had neglected quite a few sectors in the port’s ambit – had not submitted a proposal and therefore had not been in a position to compete with the other bidders.

He again emphasised the continued commitment to the ports reform and dispelled all suggestions that this was being carried out for the benefit of a select few. In this connection, Mr Galea invited Mr Mizzi to name anyone who he claims is involved with such irregularities, as well as anyone involved in issuing irregular work permits, if he had proof, as was the duty of every parliamentarian. He said he hoped that next year’s debate would prove how the ports’ reform had been for the benefit of everyone.

The motion was passed with 30 in favour and 25 against.