Nationalist MP Ryan Callus has hit out at the government for having, he said, handed land at Xewkija industrial zone by direct order to a Labour supporter, enabling him to eventually become a millionaire from garage rents.

This was a business which the government could have handled itself, or issued a call for offers, Mr Callus said when speaking in parliament on the adjournment.

He said the land was handed to a construction company for 99 years by Malta Industrial Parks to build 75 garages for small enterprises.

It was good that facilities were provided for small businesses, but it was obscene that land worth a rent of €80,000 was handed out in this way. Turnover from this business activity was eventually estimated to reach €10 million, Mr Callus said.

He said Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona needed to assume political responsibility and explain why a call for tender was not issued.  

READ: Revenue from land in Gozo transferred to firm without tender could hit €10 million