Government Cancels €80 Million Mater Dei Tender After Sole Bid Deemed Too Costly An €80 million tender to extend Mater Dei Hospital’s emergency department has been cancelled after the only bid received was considered excessively high. The sole bid, submitted by CE-BB Projects – a joint venture between CE Installations Ltd and Bonnici Group – amounted to €135.7 million, nearly 70% more than the government’s projected estimate. Govenrment said the bid was not economically feasible, adding that no obligation existed to accept a proposal simply because it was the only one received. In response, CE-BB Projects has appealed the cancellation, arguing that the decision lacked clear justification and that tenders should only be cancelled in exceptional cases. Prime Minister Robert Abela recently reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the emergency and psychiatric wards at Mater Dei, confirming a new tender would be issued. The appeal is currently being reviewed by the public contracts review board. (Times of Malta)
Half of Tenants Leave Properties with Unpaid Bills, SME Chamber Claims The Malta Chamber of SMEs has said that over 50% of tenants leave rented properties with outstanding bills, including unpaid utilities. The claim follows recent reports highlighting concerns over exploitative practices by some landlords and widespread use of illegal clauses in lease agreements. While acknowledging the need to tackle abuse in the rental market, the Chamber argued that the broader portrayal of landlords was unfair. It said that most landlord-tenant relationships are positive, but challenges such as property damage and unpaid rent are common. A survey conducted among landlord members revealed that 50.38% of tenants failed to settle bills before vacating. The Chamber is now finalising a position paper with proposals for a legal framework that it says would promote fairness and accountability on both sides. It called for more effective mechanisms to prevent abuse and enforce obligations across the rental sector. (Maltatoday)
Pair Arrested in Malta with €650,000 Worth of Suspected Drugs A 27-year-old man from Montenegro and a 27-year-old Serbian woman have been arrested in Malta after police discovered drugs worth an estimated €650,000 hidden in their vehicle. The pair were travelling in a Volkswagen that had arrived by catamaran from Sicily and were stopped on suspicion of drug trafficking. Following a search at the Police garage, authorities uncovered false compartments containing approximately 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis, 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and several hundred ecstasy pills. Customs officials assisted in the operation. Magistrate Joe Mifsud has been appointed to lead an inquiry into the case. The two suspects are currently being held under arrest in Floriana as investigations continue. (Thhe Malta Independent)
