SaS Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry into Purchase of Fire Engines

Bratislava, 15 January (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party calls for a parliamentary inquiry regarding the purchase of fire engines by the Interior Ministry, pointing to doubts concerning the transparency of the tender, the technical quality of the vehicles, and their actual value, while the 'Slovakia' party recalls that firefighters all around Slovakia are experiencing problems, TASR reported on Thursday. President of the Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ) Adrian Mifkovic denies any technical problems and says that the vehicles are being delivered as agreed. According to SaS MP Juraj Krupa, "every step the interior minister takes is a disaster. This ministry is led by one of the most incompetent ministers in Slovakia's history, and the tender for fire engines is yet another proof of this". "Vehicles that are meant to save lives should have been delivered by the end of last year. Instead, there are doubts about their origin, quality, and price," stated Krupa. He considers it unacceptable that Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok [Voice-SD] has long avoided parliamentary oversight. SaS is therefore requesting a parliamentary inquiry so that the vehicles can be physically inspected. According to SaS MP Alojz Hlina, "the original framework agreement clearly stated that new and unused vehicles were to be delivered. However, in an amendment, the word 'new' disappeared. That's no coincidence". According to available VIN numbers, these are models whose production ended in 2020, he said. Representatives of the opposition 'Slovakia' party also pointed to doubts over the purchase of B1-category fire engines, describing them as one of the most frequently used firefighting equipment. "According to the contract, new, unused Scania P460 B1-category vehicles were to be delivered. However, we have VIN numbers of fourteen vehicles and, after verifying them, these are not P460 but P500 models, with the model year corresponding to 2020. We're asking whether these are stock or older vehicles and whether this is precisely the reason why firefighters all around Slovakia are experiencing serious technical issues," said MP Roman Mikulec ('Slovakia'-For the People). HaZZ President Mifkovic explained the circumstances of the purchase to journalists. "Everything we ordered is installed, that is, every item published in the contract including its specification," he said, adding that the vehicles are being delivered gradually, while training is already underway. Mifkovic said that all 80 vehicles will be delivered and that the contract is valid until the end of June. The opposition has been pointing to problems with the purchase of fire engines since September 2024, but the Interior Ministry has rejected the criticism, saying that the winner of the tender met all requirements and that the Public Procurement Office had confirmed compliance with the law. jrg