Concerns Flagged in NAO Report on Former ITS Site Remain Unaddressed

Just over a year ago, in April 2020, the NAO report on the disposal of the ITS site highlighted a number of serious concerns about the regularity or otherwise of the tender for the transfer of public land. The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry felt compelled to call for transparent, honest, detailed, and comprehensive explanations on the doubts raised by the NAO. Just over a year later, these doubts and questions have remained unaddressed.

The Malta Chamber insists on full transparency and on the importance of observing good governance principles as well as providing an equal playing field for all at all times. Serious concerns were raised by the Auditor General on the lack of good governance, the lack of transparency and the lack of equity in the way the process was handled.

Since its statement last year, The Malta Chamber has published a series of 35 recommendations applicable to procurement to ensure that public interest is upheld in a transparent fashion.

Public land should be for the benefit of the common good. Furthermore, The Malta Chamber reiterates its call that such any such projects must take Malta in a much-needed direction, towards increased value, respectful of the island’s carrying capacity, and such projects should not be built in a piecemeal fashion based on outdated local plans.

As Malta’s foremost representative body of ethical businesses, The Malta Chamber is compelled to promote the highest standards for the country, in the interests of both the business community and Maltese society. The continued doubts and questions related to the project must be addressed in a fair and credible manner, and any such major projects must be respectful of Malta’s tourism and sustainability objectives, as quality is not to be confused with luxury.