A €6 million direct order awarded by Infrastructure Malta for the reconstruction of the drag racing strip in Ħal Far has prompted fresh scrutiny over government procurement practices.
The contract, granted to Elbros Construction Ltd and published in the Government Gazette on 1st August, covers works on the quarter-mile racing facility. The award was made without a public tender process.
ADPD – The Green Party has formally requested that the Auditor General investigate the deal. Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo argued that the direct order may amount to a “blatant abuse” of procurement rules, specifically citing Regulation 151 of the 2016 Public Procurement Regulations, which governs exceptional cases where direct orders can be issued.
“This is a matter that requires urgent scrutiny,” Cacopardo said, stressing that transparency and accountability must be upheld when public funds of this scale are involved.
The direct order comes against the backdrop of wider plans for motorsports facilities in Ħal Far. In February 2024, the Planning Authority’s case officer had recommended approval for an “upgrade” of the existing Quarter Mile drag racing strip, including new spectator stands, a control tower, catering outlets, and a VIP hospitality area. The project was presented as part of efforts to bring the facility in line with international safety standards.
At the time of writing, neither Infrastructure Malta nor Elbros Construction had provided comment on the direct order. The National Audit Office has not confirmed whether an inquiry will be launched, and the Nationalist Party has yet to declare its position.
Direct orders have long been a point of contention. Previous National Audit Office reports have flagged their extensive use in public works, with many warning that bypassing open competition can weaken transparency and value for money.
Plans for Ħal Far extend beyond the drag strip. A 2022 masterplan proposed a multi-purpose motorsports hub incorporating a new motor racing track, karting track, and the upgraded drag racing facility. In 2023, Motorsport Federation president Duncan Micallef said revisions were underway after the government allocated additional industrial land, following advice from German designers Tilke GmbH.
The €6 million contract, excluding VAT, is among the larger direct orders to be issued in recent years, and has reignited debate about the government’s spending practices.
Newsroom
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