The Prime Minister said in parliament that no investigations had been launched over direct orders issued by the Armed Forces of Malta.
Labour MP Owen Bonnici asked Lawrence Gonzi whether any investigations had been launched into allegations concerning the direct orders issued by the parliamentary secretariat that was previously responsible for the army.
Among the heftiest of direct orders were two specific orders totalling close to Lm900,000 (approx. €2.2 million) to companies for services rendered to the immigration centres between 2005 and 2007, benefitting companies that did not undergo the rigorous process of a tendering competition.
In 2005, James Caterers were awarded a direct order of Lm435,996 (€1,015,597) to provide meals to detained migrants.
Government had claimed the surge in arrivals had reached an “unprecedented level” by the second half of 2005, adding that the AFM and police catering facilities could not cope with the demand. Due to the “evident urgency of the matter”, three quotations were sought for the immediate supply of meals to illegal immigrants. James Caterers was chosen as the most advantageous offer.
Construction company Ballut Blocks also received a Lm451,500 (€1,051,712) order for the construction of accommodation facilities. The government had said it was faced with an emergency situation with regards to accommodation facilities, having to resort to tents to alleviate the problem.
The works carried out in the Hal Far open centre consisted of concrete platforms for the erection of tents – platforms which according to witnesses sloped unevenly, gathering rainwater and making the tents uninhabitable in certain cases.
The works were carried out by Ballut Block Services Ltd for construction works of Lm322,000, electrical works of Lm41,500, draining and tiling Lm70,000 and electricity Lm18,000. Other expenses incurred included the Enemalta Corporation for Lm12,500 and Lm15,600 to Surplus Adventure for 30 tents. Attrans Commercials were paid Lm13,800 for 300 bunk beds and Lm11,682 for a three-phase generator. In total, these amounted to €1,176,525 (Lm505,082).
Direct orders have always been controversial, because the call for “urgent” supplies of goods and services often justifies the award of public money to companies belonging to favoured constituents, or government supporters. Usually, orders of over Lm20,000 (€46,587) have to be cleared by the finance ministry – a not insurmountable hurdle.

mvella@mediatoday.com.mt

115 Maltese get ‘EU divorce’

A total of 115 Maltese nationals had a divorce granted in another EU member state in the past four years, a parliamentary question revealed.
The information shows that 21 divorces were granted in 2004, 33 in 2005, 25 in 2006, 23 in 2007 and 13 so far this year – and reinforces the two-tier level of discrimination that exists in Malta over divorce.
Maltese nationals can get a divorce if they are able to afford the costs of domicile inside the EU for an extended period. Maltese courts are then obliged to recognised divorces obtained abroad.