A project as important as the Ras Ħanżir quay project should never have ended up in the state it is in today, Nationalist Party MPs Ivan Castillo and Joe Giglio said in a statement on Friday.

Castillo and Giglio described the project as a crucial one for the maritime sector, which they added is a sector at the heart of the PN's vision. The MPs remarked that the quay project must be carried out with a clear vision and with full transparency.

The MPs said that now that a new tender for the project is due to be issued by the government, the PN is reiterating that the project must include a fixed ramp to ensure the creation of a new quay which can accommodate all types of operations and requirements in any weather conditions.

They continued that the floating dock proposed by the government instead of a fixed ramp would mean limiting how the space can be utilised. Castillo and Giglio said that the PN, along with the Malta Maritime Forum, believe that this project will only be complete if it is equipped with everything necessary to accommodate all the opportunities the maritime sector can offer.

 "This also leads to greater supply security, more flexibility, and fairer, more effective competition," they commented.

The PN stated that it is seriously concerned about the way in which the tender was halted.

It said that private stakeholders invest millions of euros in the maritime sector, and continued that it is only right that such investors are reassured that the government is making the best possible use of public funds as well as the limited space in the port in order to complement and strengthen private investment.

The PN continued that it is demanding that the government be transparent and provide clear answers to the concerns raised by stakeholders. The PN said that if the original suspended tender included information that was later found to be factually incorrect during the execution of the work, then such discrepancies must be explained. It added that it must also be made known whether the necessary studies were carried out to properly assess the works and avoid any sort of obstacles or unexpected issues.

Referring to a statement made by Transport Minister Chris Bonett, the PN said that the Minister spoke of how the works would continue. With that in mind, the PN stated that it is important to know whether these works will continue with the contractor who won the original tender, or whether they would be handed to another contractor through a direct order.

The PN said that the public should be informed about what type of work will be taking place following the suspension of the tender, as well as whether such works form part of the original tender or not.

It said that the Maltese people expect for public funds and the space within the port to used in the best and most responsible way possible.

The PN concluded that the new tender must include the fixed ramp, and added that the government must take responsibility in explaining how the quay will be used. Additionally, the PN said that it pledges to continue listening to stakeholders and to provide necessary support for all that strengthens and advances the maritime sector.