SaS Criticises Interior Ministry's Purchase of Fire-engine Ladders

Bratislava, 6 November (TASR) - The Interior Ministry is about to carry out an overpriced purchase of fire-engine ladders, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) MP Juraj Krupa told a press conference on Friday, adding that the purchase will involve 16 ladders at a price more than €12 million higher than in a similar procurement in the Czech Republic. Interior Ministry spokesperson Matej Neumann has responded by saying that the opposition party has come up with nothing new, as Krupa was merely repeating information that is already available, while adding his own misleading interpretations to it. Krupa stated in connection with the planned procurement - with deliveries not scheduled to begin until 2028 - that the ministry published a contract with a current value of zero euros. "In the Czech Republic, they're purchasing comparable fire-engine ladders for some €900,000 each. In Slovakia, Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) wants to pay up to €1.66 million. For 16 ladders, the difference comes in at €12.16 million," said Krupa. According to SaS's findings, this tender involves the same company which took part in the much scrutinised and criticised procurement of fire engines. In its response provided to TASR, the ministry stated that, in his comparison, Krupa failed to demonstrate whether this concerns identical vehicles with the same specifications and equipment. The ministry also rejected Krupa's other claims, stating that, for example, the ministry isn't required to purchase all the vehicles covered by the contract. No purchase has been made under this framework agreement, and not a single fire engine has been purchased so far, which is why the value recorded in the register of contracts is zero euros. "The Interior Ministry will continue to upgrade its equipment, because modern and reliable equipment in the hands of firefighters means faster assistance, more lives saved and greater public safety in critical moments," said Neumann. jrg/df