Robert Abela has never shied away from using public funds to reward those who serve his interests, and now he has done it again with Daniel Micallef, the Nationalist Party said Friday.

Abela is using Project Green - which today is starting to look more like Project Greed - to line the pockets of his loyalists and anyone who bows to his will, the PN said.

This time, through the very government agency that is supposedly tasked with creating green open spaces, Abela handed a direct order worth €350,000 to Micallef for a project that does not even have the required permits - as a thank you for stepping down from Labour's Deputy Leadership, the statement added.

Project Green is headed by Joseph Cuschieri, who was previously suspended from his role as CEO of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) following a number of irregularities during his tenure. He was later appointed by Abela as CEO of Project Green, on the recommendation of Minister Miriam Dalli. In fact, just today, the Court of Appeal found Cuschieri guilty of the unfair and illegal dismissal of an MFSA employee during his time as CEO.

The message is clear: Robert Abela keeps his friends quiet using public money, the PN said.

Funds that should be used to restore and enhance the natural environment - which Abela's Government has systematically eroded over the years - are instead being misused to protect his own political skin. Once again, Abela confirms what those closest to him have been saying all along: "everyone is pigging out."

The PN said it demands answers from the Prime Minister regarding this latest scandal.