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Matthew Vella
Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono has no qualms with the fact that her husband Tony is the officer-in-charge of the Construction and Maintenance Unit (CMU), the department which is mainly responsible for the carrying out of roadworks, despatching construction materials and general maintenance.
“My husband is given orders and he executes those orders. He is an official of the government, and has nothing to do with government contracts,” Minister Giovanna Debono told MaltaToday about the position held by her husband in the civil service.
As officer-in-charge for the CMU, which falls under the Department of Projects and Development, Tony Debono is responsible for general public works around the island of Gozo, as well as roadworks, general maintenance of government property and housing, infrastructural maintenance, and other services for different government offices. Debono is also responsible for the government stores, and the provision of important supplies for the construction of roads, such as concrete.
In the last election Giovanna Debono clinched pole position for the Nationalist Party in Gozo once again with a massive 6,500 first preference votes – a jump of 1,500 more than her 1998 showing. Many Labourites are known to have voted for her, not an unusual event in an Island where party allegiance is remarkably unsteady.
Today, the Nationalist hardcore in Gozo is frayed by resignations from within its regional committee, namely that of long-serving PN member George Cremona and Saviour Grech.
Under scrutiny from both Labour and Nationalist camps, MaltaToday is informed that the first couple of Gozo enjoy the nasty label, ‘the two ministers of Gozo’.
But Gozo remains an island where few dare come forward to talk. Whilst those from the Nationalist camp shy away cautiously from commenting, Labour MP Justyne Caruana gave MaltaToday guarded reactions. Labour MP Anton Refalo was unavailable for comment.
“I think Government should see whether there is a problem with Minister Debono’s husband in that position,” Justyne Caruana told MaltaToday. “Whoever placed him there should see to his accountability and delivery. In any case, it is Giovanna Debono who should see whether there is a problem with her husband in that position. But I don’t think she would find it a problem!”
matthew@newsworksltd.com
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