'Slovakia' Party Urges Interior Minister to Cancel Fire Engine Contract

Bratislava, 9 September (TASR) – The opposition 'Slovakia' party called on Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) on Tuesday to terminate a contract with a supplier of fire engines, claiming that the vehicles fail to meet quality standards, while only one has been delivered so far, TASR learnt on the same day. Speaking at a press conference, former interior minister (2022-23) and MP Roman Mikulec, along with MP Gabor Grendel (both 'Slovakia'), stated that the supplier is not capable of delivering vehicles of the required quality. "I believe that the company that won the tender simply cannot supply vehicles of the required standard. Therefore, I urge the interior minister to withdraw from the contract, or, if he does not, to take all necessary steps to ensure that future deliveries meet the expected quality," said Mikulec. He also called on Sutaj Estok to clarify whether claims that negotiations are already underway with a new supplier are true. Mikulec added that he personally inspected the delivered fire engine, which reportedly had to return from a service check at which its gearbox was replaced. He also criticised what he described as unsuitable brakes. "I had a chance to test the vehicle myself yesterday, just after it returned from service – the brakes were hot," he said. Grendel described the fire engine procurement as symbolic of both Sutaj Estok's personal performance and the overall functioning of the governing coalition. "The mission of the Interior Ministry's services, including the Fire and Rescue Corps, is to protect the lives, health and property of Slovak taxpayers. But that is not possible with non-functional equipment," he declared. mf/df