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Kurt Sansone
The VAT office block in Birkirkara is all glitz and glass, a complete contrast with the income tax offices in Floriana, but it does not come cheap. Government pays more than Lm200,000 a year in rent to a private company.
The information was made public in Parliament this week by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, in response to a question by Labour MP Charles Mangion.
Gonzi gave a breakdown of rents paid out by the ministry of finance and the Office of the Prime Minister for various entities that fall under his portfolio.
The Tax Compliance Unit, situated at the Millenia complex in Marsa, costs government Lm63,238 a year in rent. A further Lm46,087 a year are paid out by the Treasury to Middle Sea Life Assurance for the rent of their premises at the Mall in Floriana.
The recently set up Lotteries and Gaming Authority pays Lm35,400 in rent to Bonnici Insurance Agency for its premises in Ta’ Xbiex while the Central Information and Management Unit (CIMU) pays Lm25,000 for its offices in Blata l-Bajda.
The Ministry of Finance has a premises in Birkirkara rented for Lm300 a year and another premises in South Street Valletta rented from Middle Sea for Lm6,300 a year.
Two other entities falling under Gonzi’s portfolio, the Employment Commission and the Broadcasting Authority pay Lm2,700 and Lm6 a year respectively in rent.
An interesting detail in the Prime Minister’s reply is the renting out of a premises in Zabbar by the Office of the Prime Minister. It is unclear what purpose this premises serves but the OPM pays Lm350 a year to WSA Ltd.
Various other rents are paid to the owners of lotto booths in different localities, ranging from Lm19.20 to Lm192 a year.
kurt@newsworksltd.com
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