Notte Bianca in Valletta risks becoming a dark, silent night

Notte Bianca risks becoming a dark and silent night after two companies asked the court to stop the adjudication of lighting and sound contracts for the popular annual event.

The court has already provisionally upheld the companies' request but is expected to make a final decision on Friday, the eve of Notte Bianca.

Lighting company Nexos and DJS Trading Ltd, that offer sound and lighting services, called on the court to issue a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the Malta Council of Culture and the Arts and the Director of Contracts.

The companies claimed the council planned to issue direct orders for the adjudication of the lighting and sound services and this went against public contract regulations. Such contracts were subject to public tender adjudication, they insisted.

Nexos and DJS explained that, on September 4, the council issued a call for applications to provide several services in Valletta this Saturday and Sunday.

The two companies applied for the tender and both were informed last Friday that their applications were not eligible. They filed a letter of objection appealing the decision. According to law, the tender award process had to be suspended until the appeal was decided.

They said the council was acting illegally as it planned to issue direct orders on services that were subject to public tender adjudication. The council had sent e-mails to other companies asking for estimates for the services by last Monday. The companies said they were being deprived of their right to appeal as laid down in the regulations.

Mr Justice Joe Azzopardi, presiding over the First Hall of the Civil Court, provisionally upheld the companies' request and temporarily stopped the council from booking the services.

The council is expected to file a reply today.