Transport Minister Ian Borg said Wednesday the decision to scrap the Marsascala yacht marina had been a “collective one” and he had been “one of those who put forward the concerns expressed by district MPs.”

Last week, Prime Minister Robert Abela said plans for the controversial marina had been dropped because the government had “listened” and because the PL wants to now prioritise the environment. Up until a few hours earlier, Borg had been defending the project, saying that even a PN administration had built a marina the people did not want in Vittoriosa.

The Malta Independent asked Borg whether the decision to scrap the project was a vote of no confidence in him by the Prime Minister.

“I leave it up to the Prime Minister, who has already spoken about this and said that this was not a vote of no confidence, so much so that the decision was a collective one and I was one of those who out forward the concerns put forward by MPs who contest the district. We listened to the people because we are not stubborn, and we withdrew this project, just like we did with others.”

Borg had defended the project partly by saying that there is not enough space for berthing facilities. Asked if there were now any plans for such berthing facilities, Borg said this would be guided by the Local Plans.

Borg was also asked whether he had ordered any investigation into the alleged racket at Transport Malta, where €3m in fines issued to a company belonging to alleged kidnapper Chris Borg were wiped off.

Borg said he had been assured that “none of this had taken place” but said questions should be directed at the TM CEO.

Any questions about alleged irregular promotions should also be asked to the CEO, he said, adding that “I am sure that everything was done according to the collective agreements.”

Borg also said that the Labour Party will manage to complete the 7-year, €700m roads pledge if the people were to elect it to government once more.

Asked if Labour would promise not to take up any more agricultural land, Borg said projects were always carried out in line with the 2006 Local Plans (as approved by a PN government) and with “all necessary permits as issued by the competent authorities.”