Security at lotto offices improved

The Public Lotto Department said yesterday that it had taken "all the necessary steps" to improve security for lotto receivers in the wake of the hold-up at Naxxar just over a week ago.

Reacting to a statement by the Lotto Receivers' Union, the department said the police last Wednesday increased their security measures and would continue to do so.

With reference to remarks by the union regarding the sum of Lm50,000 that was promised to make good for the installation of a security system in lotto offices, the department said it was a pity that the Lotto Receivers' Union had still not implemented the system that had been agreed with it.

"In the circumstances the department is amazed how the Lotto Receivers' Union can make a statement which states that talks on this subject have been at a standstill. This is just not the case. The government had agreed to the security system and hence the responsibility now falls on the Lotto Receivers' Union."

The department said the government was still prepared to finance this initiative to the tune of Lm50,000 provided that this initiative offered the necessary security.

The department also said that the amount stolen from the Naxxar Lotto Office on September 25 was a lot less than the sum of Lm5,000 that was reported in the media.

Arthur Rossi, the president of the Lotto Receivers' Union, yesterday clarified the statement he made last week, saying that the Lm50,000 made available by the government to boost security were still at the union's disposal.

He said the reason for not yet making use of the funds was twofold.

After having held negotiations with a security company for about a year, the union was told by police that the particular system being offered was not suitable when it came to linking up with police.

Subsequently, the union had put implementing new security measures on hold pending the conclusion of talks with the government and the shortlisted consortium on the privatisation of the Lotto Department.

"We don't want to spend the money now, only to find out that it is not to the liking of the new owners. It would be money down the drain," said Mr Rossi.