Labour laments lack of consultation on marinas privatisation

The Labour spokesmen on transport and public investments have criticised the government for not consulting the opposition about its plans to privatise the yacht marinas.

In a statement, MPs Joe Mizzi and Helena Dalli also asked a series of questions about the implications of the government’s plans.

They asked why the marinas had been allowed to deteriorate to their current state once the government planned to privatise them; what studies had been made about the privatisation, and what safeguards there would b regarding access to the sea, security, the current employment of workers and current marina users.

They also asked whether it would be just the management of the marinas which would be privatised or whether the exercise also included the assets.

The government on Monday said the marinas at Msida, Ta’ Xbiex and Mgarr, currently run by the Malta Maritime Authority, would be leased for 25 years to the bidder that could offer the best price and the best plans for investment and modernisation.