Car parks bidder says it was never privileged
The privatisation of public car parks has been put on hold following a public outcry and a motion presented in Parliament by the Opposition to halt the process. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
One of the companies interested in tendering for the now-stalled car park privatisation has denied ever having been privileged by Transport Minister Austin Gatt or any minister or ministry.
KDM Group chief executive Kenneth De Martino said in a statement that although his group had been successful in winning government tenders in the past, it had never received any preferential treatment. On the contrary, it built its reputation through “honest hard work, innovation and an ability to offer unequalled quality of service”.
KDM Group was one of eight well-known companies that expressed an interest in bidding for the tender to privatise 34 public parking spaces across Malta.
Mr De Martino said the group engaged into “fair discussions” with some car park attendants to come up with the best possible package in preparation for the adjudication process.
“This process is a common practice in any competitive environment and the KDM Group has no reason to believe that other interested parties have not done similar negotiations. Yet, the group is being singled out in dishonest accusations,” the group said.
It was reacting to reports, mainly in the Labour media, that gave prominence to a meeting the group organised for car park attendants to discuss the tender.
“The KDM Group prides itself in being a bona fide commercial operator that has earned its trust and success through honest hard work, innovation and an ability to offer unequalled quality of service within the set parameters and rules.”
The privatisation of public car parks has been put on hold following a public outcry and a motion presented in Parliament by the Opposition to halt the process. A petition was also raised against the proposal.
The motion will be debated in Parliament but a date has not been set yet because the Government and the Opposition have not reached an agreement.
On Thursday, the Leader of the House, Tonio Borg insisted on starting the debate on November 8, while the Opposition is proposing October 18, October 25 or November 1.
The KDM Group called on public commentators not to repeat “incorrect facts which others may have purposely fed them”.
“The group is willing to stand up and be judged on any tender that it may have won and is willing to collaborate with any independent investigation, as recently suggested.”
It also reserved the right to take legal action against those tarnishing its reputation.
The group said it had never been awarded a tender by Dr Gatt’s ministry, except the Park and Ride concession and the Valletta ditch rehabilitation and the connection from Marsamxett to Valletta.
However, it said the two tenders were subsequently cancelled and withdrawn by the Government due to change in government policy.
On the tender for warden services, the group said such contracts were awarded by local councils themselves.
The KDM Group is responsible for local enforcement in four of the five regions.
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A. MICALLEF
Oct 14th 2012, 07:31
Tpparkja fil-car park thallas xi Eur.5 lil Demartino, jekk tipparkja barra thallas multa tal-wardens
u din wkoll, tmur ghand Demartino. Jew barra jew gewwa il-carpark, dejjem thallas lil Demartino.
Very easy to build a business, fast profits, guaranteed income, you do not need to be an
Einstein to build a business this way. Demartino qisnha qiedghin Saqallija jew Napli.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Oct 13th 2012, 18:54
"On the contrary, it built its reputation through “honest hard work, innovation and an ability to offer unequalled quality of service”. Tsh! Tsh! And there was I thinking...........................
Jonathan Camilleri
Oct 13th 2012, 18:13
Speaking of car parks I think we definitely need to see more of them open for the public. The private parking used for Gasan Mamo Insurance employees could be turned into a profitable mutli-storey car park with a huge investment.
Mr Clayton Mangion
Oct 13th 2012, 16:56
The group said it had never been awarded a tender by Dr Gatt’s ministry, except the Park and Ride concession and the Valletta ditch rehabilitation and the connection from Marsamxett to Valletta.
loooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!
A. MICALLEF
Oct 13th 2012, 15:39
Demartino _ No need for car park attendants, no need for companies running public owned
parking places, they are all blood suckers ! A new government should terminate immediately
the running of the warden system by private companies. Demartino, this xalata MUST END !
colin wilcox
Oct 13th 2012, 13:11
they still call them car parkers this was a self made job by just turnig up
at a car park just like they did with the toilets
Kevin Sciberras
Oct 13th 2012, 12:43
Running a car park and a warden's service in the same locality would be madness for anyone. The accusations that the wardens are ticketing people to force them in the car parks would not stop
victor bonello
Oct 13th 2012, 12:39
So am I to understand that whilst TM halted the tendering system some bidders actually still went ahead and put in their offers? Who were the bidders?
pat muscat
Oct 13th 2012, 11:59
Kulhadd jipprova jghaddina biz-zmien f'din l-bicca gzira':il-hazin hu li l-bicca l-kbira jirnexxilhom!
Joe Tabone
Oct 13th 2012, 10:57
There were NINE bids for the carparks tenders - NINE Private companies - NINE employers
But LABOUR is NOT safe with business, they are backing the present parkers who 'charge tips' from the public but give nothing back to us taxpayers - they just occupy public land = Labour won't work !
Mark Borg
Oct 13th 2012, 12:29
As if GonziPN works! Dream on Joe Tabone.
william cauchi
Oct 13th 2012, 13:17
You are perfectly right Joe Tabone, presently parkers charge tips. With KDM, these ''tips'' normally a euro or less will suddenly become €5, €6, €7.
So for sure, who will be better off, surely not the drivers. You guess......
F. Borg
Oct 13th 2012, 13:59
Well you are true. But why should public property, which has been done by public money, be transferred to some individual to earn money from and only give a small portion of it as taxes.
I would prefer if the car parks are GIVEN to LOCAL COUNCILS so that the money that they earn is again re-invested in the local community. And to this no body would object. Answer me Joe Tabone.
Tonio Bone
Oct 13th 2012, 14:43
Joe, two wrongs don't do one right! The situation was unregulated and chaotic with individuals ruling supreme on public land and arrogant attitudes. The solution to privatize and privilege this or that particular entrepreneur is just as unfair! This government was not elected to make the chosen few rich and richer! At least that was what we were led to believe.
M Grima
Oct 13th 2012, 10:25
U zgurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
M Grima
Oct 13th 2012, 10:25
Oh, please stop Mr. De Martino I can't stop crying!!!
Tonio Bone
Oct 13th 2012, 09:57
If Mr De Martino is trying to tell us that what he has achieved business-wise in the past twenty years or so is due solely to his business acumen and cunning than I suggest the government to splash out on a lavish salary and have him lecture our future entrepreneurs. 'Never privileged' is a statement Mr De Martino should avoid dwelling on!
J Tanti
Oct 13th 2012, 09:35
"Honest hard work", Kenneth, right?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120111/local/Councillors-face-fraud-charges.401857
Dave Alan Caruana
Oct 13th 2012, 09:57
the public has a long memory, doesn't it ?
victor bonello
Oct 13th 2012, 12:36
good one.. what about the money owed to the councils, and the warden tenders.. hallina Kenneth, time to stop milking the cow!
R. Cilia
Oct 13th 2012, 13:48
Thank you J.Tanti for refreshing our memory. Now how about TOM keeps us up todate on this matter.
J Martinelli
Oct 13th 2012, 13:51
Can you please tell us the outcome of the allegations/charges?
Michael Borg
Oct 13th 2012, 13:56
well said with jsuta link Tanti !!! prosit hsibtna fidili kenneth !!!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: