Labour applauds new ICT agency but claims chairman has conflict of interest

The Labour Party has applauded the setting up of the Malta Information Technology Agency (Mita) to promote ICT in Malta and to take over the functions of the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd and other responsibilities previously shouldered by the IT Ministry.

However, the party's main spokesman for technology, Chris Cardona, said that the appointment of SmartCity CEO Claudio Grech as Mita chairman could lead to a conflict of interest between the management of a private project and that of a government agency. He said Labour felt there was a need for a permanent agency expanding IT in the public sector and helping the ICT sector to continue establishing itself as one of the pillars of the Maltese economy.

Labour, he said, reiterated its support for the SmartCity project and was committed that the implementation of a strategic ICT policy for the country would not be confined to one project but should be spread to the whole country and include all interested partners.

The Communications Ministry expressed satisfaction at Labour's acceptance of Mita and its agreement on the need to set up the agency to continue promoting technology within the government and Maltese society.

It said it appointed Mr Grech as chairman of Mita because of his professional capabilities and experience in the sector. His presence on Mita's board would be an important contribution to the continuing success of Malta as an ICT society.

The ministry said everyone appointed on boards and in the administration of entities falling under the ministry were subject to explicit guidelines on what should happen in case of a conflict of interest.

These stated that in the event of an actual or potential conflict of interest arising during the tenure of one's post as director, the director had to disclose the conflict in writing, in full and in time.

Moreover, a director having a continuing material interest that conflicted with the interests of the organisation had to take effective steps to eliminate the grounds for the actual or perceived conflict.

And in the event that such steps did not eliminate the grounds for conflict, the director had to tender his resignation.

Mr Grech said when contacted that he absolutely did not see a conflict of interest between his appointment as CEO of SmartCity and that of executive chairman of Mita.