The Nationalist Party said Monday that the government wasted €500,000 on new boats (RHIBS), which are not seaworthy according to a surveyor approved by TM.

In a statement signed by PN MP Ivan Castillo, he said that the PN has clear evidence that although these vessels were unregistered, unlicensed and considered unworthy, TM instructed its workers to continue using the vessels.

The PN accused TM of doing this to increase the number of hours driven by the boats so that they cannot be revoked according to the tender.

It is not acceptable that the government continues to burn public funds without taking responsibility for its actions, it said. The PN further added that it is just as unacceptable for officials to force workers to use these boats and put the lives of maritime enforcement officers and the public in danger.

Whilst this is being investigated by the Auditor General, the PN asked the Transport Minister and the Chief Executive of TM to carry out a separate independent internal investigation to identify how many times this tender was issued before the supplier was chosen and why the vessels continued to be used.

The PN demanded that the vessels should not be used and people should be held responsible for putting maritime enforcement officers at risk. It also demanded that the correct risk assessment are carried out in accordance with the law.

The PN added that it wants to ensure that these vessels are in compliance with all of the conditions of the tender before they are paid for and used.

In reply, Transport Malta said that a formal dispute has already been registered with the supplier and that, above all, to date, no payments have been made.

The Authority said it is currently evaluating its options with its legal advisors. This issue is under review by the National Audit Office in collaboration with the Authority, the statement said.