The biggest single pay-out last year for consultancy services to any department or entity falling under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications was €2,302,748.65, to the Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
The money was paid by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation for architectural consultancy services for the City Gate and bus terminus projects.
Answering a parliamentary question by Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi, Austin Gatt laid on the Table of the House the details of all payments for consultancy by any department or entity falling under his ministry. Total payments for 2011 added up to €8,308,243.
The second-biggest payment for consultancy, €2,012,542.32, went to Bovis Lend Lease Int. for project management services for the City Gate project. Next was €996,162.76 to ARUP for engineering consultancy services, also on the City Gate project.
The biggest payment to an individual, €60,000, went to Dr Anne Marie Sciberras, Legal Maritime Affairs Adviser (International Maritime Organisation).
Most consultancies were awarded on a direct-order basis “due to the specialisation required”.