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10 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 MARCH 2022 KARL AZZOPARDI THE 209-metre-long tanker Chem P remains adrift off the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq coast, as au- thorities continue to monitor the situation. The St Kitts and Nevis-reg- istered ship Chem P chemical tanker is drifting just off the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq coastline after leaving anchorage just outside territorial waters. The ship is being assisted by two tug boats in a bid to avoid the ship running aground on the reefs off the Baħar iċ- Ċagħaq coast. MaltaToday is informed the large vessel was stuck onto the interconnector cable, the sub- sea electricity cable that runs from Malta to Sicily. Speaking to MaltaToday, a transport ministry spokesper- son said that it would be very difficult for tug boats to mobi- lise the vessel due to the pre- vailing strong winds. The ves- sel is being assisted by the tug boats Spinola and St Elmo. "Everything can change from time to time, and personnel are waiting for the weather to die down so that they can continue the operation," the spokesper- son said. He said an exact time on when the operation will continue cannot be given, as the wind is expected to remain strong in the coming hours. "Media will be informed on any relevant updates." In comments to TVM, one of the tug boat workers said they were faced with difficult con- ditions as they strived to avoid any spillages. The national broadcaster also reported the Chem P is being held in place by two of its an- chors, and two tug boats. On Saturday, Transport Min- ister Ian Borg confirmed on Facebook that Transport Malta was assisting the tanker since it ran the risk of running aground close to the coast. "I was in- formed that the ship had diffi- culties keeping its position out- side territorial waters due to the bad weather. I was assured that the risk of a chemical spill is very low," Borg said. It is unclear whether the tanker cut its moorings as a re- sult of the sea conditions and whether the ship has any cargo on board. Tanker remains adrift as salvage operation waits for winds to die down CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Since its founding in 1989 as Alternattiva Demokratika, AD- PD has never achieved the elec- tion of a candidate from any of Malta's 13 districts. It obtained its highest showing in 2013, with a nationwide 1.8% of the national vote, or 5,506 votes. Addressing the press out- side the steps of the Auberge de Castille, Cacopardo railed against the Maltese electoral system, which he said sought only to control and not offer fair representation. "It is now also our turn to say enough is enough! After voters carry out their duty on Saturday, if necessary, if the discrimina- tory rules are applied towards ADPD, these will be contested in the constitutional fora. Once parliament has deliberately imposed such discriminatory rules to abet the PLPN such action will be our only remedy. We intend to use it. To ensure that each vote counts, not just those for the PLPN duopoly," Cacopardo said. Accountability guarantee Cacopardo said political pow- er and business had too close a relationship in the country. "We have been stating this all along due to its impact on ac- countability, transparency and ethical behaviour in public life," he said in a press conference outside the steps of Castille. "Accountability, transparency and ethical behaviour in public life remain key issues that suf- fer continuously at the hands of Maltese politicians. We need a parliament that can properly provide oversight and take the necessary decisions. We need members of parliament that are of integrity and able to contin- uously and consistently provide the necessary oversight of our country's public administra- tion. We need institutions that are strong – something that we badly lack at the moment." Cacopardo said Malta's insti- tutions were weak and ineffec- tive, having been hijacked by the 'PLPN' duopoly that has sti- fled any voice of dissent. Candidate Brian Decelis said the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry report had the culture of impunity reigning in Malta with Castille's blessing. "What was uncovered during and after that inquiry was not a surprise. We were well aware of the too cosy relationship between some businessmen and politicians that hindered massively our country's gov- ernance, and left us a pariah internationally. But this did not come about overnight. Lack of action and necessary reforms was the order of the day for the parties in government over many decades." Decelis said ADPD will con- tinue to insist that all the rec- ommendations made the Daph- ne Caruana Galizia inquiry are implemented to the full. "It is imperative that what led to this tragedy is eradicated completely. Ethics in public life do not just appear out of thin air. "We need to strive towards this every day. If there was a time when we needed to change the way politics are carried out in our country this is more ur- gent than ever today." 'If necesary, we will contest results in constitutional court' ADPD chairperson Carmel Cacopardo

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