Cassola makes claims of fuel theft at Transport Malta
Arnold Cassola, an independent MEP candidate, reported that two high-ranking officials at Transport Malta are under investigation for suspected fuel theft within the Maritime sector of the organisation. According to Cassola’s statement, the allegations suggest that these officials used fuel from the Mgarr Harbour fuel station in Gozo to fill their private cabin cruisers. This purported fraudulent activity came to light when Transport Malta received an €850 bill for diesel, which raised suspicions as the entity primarily uses petrol for its maritime vehicles. This incident adds to a string of scandals involving Transport Malta. Recent media coverage has highlighted allegations of misconduct within the authority’s Maritime Enforcement Unit (MEU), including claims of tampering with maritime fines by at least three officials. (Maltatoday)
MPT takes nine buses out of service in ‘procedural step’
Malta Public Transport has temporarily taken nine out of the 11 buses mentioned in a legal complaint off the streets following a request from Transport Malta. However, the company clarifies that this action was merely a procedural step, as these buses were indeed in good condition for road use. Regarding the remaining two buses referenced in the complaint, one was already out of service undergoing repairs, while the other was a training vehicle exclusively used for training new drivers and was never part of active service. Earlier this week, a supervisor at MPT lodged a legal complaint alleging that he was instructed to approve buses that were not fit for the road. MPT strongly refuted these allegations, asserting that they would never allow unfit buses to operate on public roads. (Times of Malta)
February sees 27% increase in tourism – NSO
In February, Malta saw an estimated influx of 168,967 tourists, marking a notable 27.5% increase compared to February 2023. Data from the National Statistics Office indicates that these tourists collectively spent 1,012,335 nights in Malta, amounting to a total expenditure of €114.3 million. The majority of tourists (84.4%) opted for accommodations in rented establishments during their stay. For the first two months of the year, Malta welcomed a total of 340,988 tourists, with the nights spent surpassing two million. The combined tourist expenditure for January and February 2024 is projected at €224.2 million, averaging out to €657 per capita. (TVM)
