Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people
An oil tanker at the power station.
Infrastructure Minister Austin has insisted he was never warned that any member of the oil procurement board was taking kickbacks or engaging in corruption.
It was reported yesterday that Frank Sammut, who sat on the oil purchasing board, received thousands of dollars from Dutch oil firm Trafigura that supplied Enemalta with its fuel oil requirements.
The case dates back to 2004, soon after the was set up by Dr Gatt. The prime minister has asked the police to investigate
Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta.
“We nominated a board of 10 people where decisions were taken together, not one or two persons deciding alone,” Dr Gatt said.
Full story in The Times.
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Joe Sammut
Jan 21st, 17:52
Gatt terminated Sammut’s employment from Mediterranean Oil bunkering in 2004. Surely they were not friends.
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 21st, 17:43
Joseph Muscat pay attention. PN and GonziPN supporters are searching for a means to blame you on this one too ... And they might do it just before the day of election, as they did with JPO in 2008!
Joe Tabone
Jan 21st, 17:42
Luckily we have institutions that can investigate...............Let the Police do their work!!
Charles Micallef
Jan 21st, 17:16
No wonder that oil was preferred over LPG, it has proven to be very lucrative for~some of the chosen few!
Richard Farrugia
Jan 21st, 15:47
Sammut should pay or else whisleblow.....my intution says there r others involved......he could have not acted alone. Anglu Farrugia was always referring to corruption and that it shuold be faced with an iron fist whoevere was d protagonist. What about his "corrupt practices" song confirmed by d Appeals Court....is it going to see the shredder...boys look straight in the eyes of all soprans
Henry S Pace
Jan 21st, 15:38
@ George Camilleri
' you want people to risk their jobs and income, from which families are fed, without any protective legal instruments in action? forget it mate, people have too much to lose.'
I do not agree with your argument BECAUSE if this person/s spoke up now, do you mean that he/they is/are well safe to speak up?
There are various methods that such things could be
i
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 15:36
And what about the BWSC contract ??? Are we forgetting the fact that the Auditor General has stated in his report, that he " SAW THE SMOKE OF CORRUPTION....."?? THAT WAS NOT IN 2004 BUT 2011/12 !!
Victor Vella
Jan 21st, 15:10
Jien ghalija spiccat kull tama li nerga nara il partit. li dejjem emmint fih , jerga jkun fil Gvern.
X'Hasra. Tal misthija. Ipocriti. Inutli li niftahru bl-educazjoni , xoghol u sahha filwaqt li jkollok
il-korruzzjoni ddur mal-ministri dawra tond. Franco kellu ragun biex jbieh .
Victor Vella
Jan 21st, 14:58
This is another story from Minister Austin Gatt. I Think in my sincere opinion that past episodes and this one are going to cost the PN losing the coming election. What a pity ! Then we have to agree with Franco Debono because he was right to vote against Minister Austin Gatt , why on earth the Prime Minister did not take any action at that time, what is holding him from doing so. Wake up .
stephen koludrovic
Jan 21st, 14:47
1% of 1,000,000 is 10,000 euros daily commission. That is quite a bit of loot that somebody has stashed away without any of the other nine board members noticing, or knowing about.
A J Rose
Jan 21st, 14:43
Such deeds always come out in the open sooner or later.......
But lets not kid ourselves, these kind of things take place in all countries and within ALL governments
without exceptions!!.....I repeat without exceptions!!
Not everyone works for the love of one's country!
Roger Davies-Barrett
Jan 21st, 15:14
We should however not trivialise this just because "these things take part in all countries" This does not make it right or acceptable. We may not work for the love of our country but should love our counter.
A J Rose
Jan 21st, 15:43
Mr Davies-Barrett, No triviality whatsoever... this is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly...not acceptable at all.
Furthermore, I should have said ''Unfortunately'' not everyone works for the love of one's country.
Patrick Zammit
Jan 21st, 14:41
If the title of this article reflects the truth, than Trafigura are proper Charlies.
JG. Briffa
Jan 21st, 14:40
ghandu ragun Franco Debono???
Henry S Pace
Jan 21st, 14:35
' Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people '
ANY PROCUREMENT IS NOT A JOKE. THERE EXIST RULES AND REGULATIONS TO OBSERVE.
HWOEVER KNOWS SUCH DIRTY TRICKS SHOULD HAVE COME OUT AT THE RIGIGHT TIME AND NOT WAIT TO SAY SUCH THINGS ON THE EVE OF AN ELECTION.
HONOURABLE PEOPLE SHOULD STAND UP TO BE COUNTED.
George Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:15
you want people to risk their jobs and income, from which families are fed, without any protective legal instruments in action? forget it mate, people have too much to lose.
When there's a Whistleblower Act in action, then can we consider our citizens safe enough to take certain honorable steps.
Ruben Hili
Jan 21st, 14:35
Same old story as 5 years ago.....the Mistra one pffff!!! Ahjar semmejtu tal lay lay, l-artijiet, u elf ta korruzjoni li ghamel il MLP!!!
Edward Mallia
Jan 21st, 15:03
What about the "Mistra one". JPO was publicly denying he had anything to do with the Mistra application, when he was in fact the real applicant using a prestanome. And the person who provided him with a press card -- when he was not in fact a menber of the Press -- was Dr. Gonzi, the same person who pressed him to resign his seat AFTER the 2008 election. And JPO came home to roost in the end.
John Zammit
Jan 21st, 14:23
Is this why the TWO proposed by Gas links were not accepted one in 2004 the other in 2006
anthony brincat
Jan 21st, 14:18
gharukaza fix wasalna lil ta gonzipn nghidihom warbu min hemm ghax qazziestu lil kulhadd
Richard Caruana
Jan 21st, 14:42
Veru gharukaza... dan il-proxxmu li qed jissemma ilu li telaq mill-Enemalta mill-2004!
Nahseb li l-lejber ha falza stikka fiha din, u ser johrog dalwaqt fil-berah.
Gonzi kien ghadu l-anqas lahaq Prim Ministru meta dan spicca mill-Enemalta u l-bord tal-purchasing.
M Borg
Jan 21st, 16:13
The Finance Ministry said this afternoon that Frank Sammut, the person at the centre of controversy over kickbacks for oil purchases, had his contract with Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Ltd terminated in 2004.
He had been appointed managing director of the company in 1997.
Mr Sammut was never an employee of Enemalta but was a member of its board until 1990 and consultant until 1994.
Franco Abela
Jan 21st, 14:17
MELA JEKK IL-MINISTRU M'GHANDUX X JAQSAM... MIN GHANDU? JIEN GAHAN MALTI JEW?
Joe Sammut
Jan 21st, 18:45
Il-ministru Gatt keccieh fl-2004 mill-MOBC.
Henry S Pace
Jan 21st, 14:11
Whoeber knew this is also guilty not to give information to the Authorities and the police.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:39
You are right. In fact I am wondering whether the report Muscat was referring to last Friday was a report to Gonzi on this issue - otherwise how could Malta Today have obtained copies of bank statements if not from Malta - certainly from a Swiss bank?
pat muscat
Jan 21st, 13:55
Can you trust a Prime Minister who gave us the second highest bills in Europe, regaled us with the secretive 'procurement team' who is now alleged, were pocketing kickbacks and illicit commissions?
twanny borg
Jan 21st, 15:09
Mhux veru l-ghola kontijiet zied it-taxxa u tara li tal-pl dahqu bik.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 21st, 13:49
Dr Buzullotti does it again. The buck stops with you,APG.
JIMMY ATANASIO
Jan 21st, 14:25
every body that can does it,so why the big fuss?
George Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:17
@ Jimmy Atanasio
War crimes have been done since time immemorial, so it's justified?
Corruption seems to be part of human nature, but does it make it justified? Especially from people who claim that they're the champions of Maltese democracy?
Honestly, some people....
j brincat
Jan 21st, 13:46
If only GonziPN enacted the Whistle Blower's Act?
And he had five whole years to do so!
jb
George Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:20
that was never an option.
the Whistleblower Act would have dug up so much dirt from the PN administration that it would have spelled a very early fall of the latest government.
Plus political, legal and criminal repercussions to those responsible.
Altho they are simply delaying the inevitable. iz-zejt dejjem jitla f'wicc l-ilma
Mr charles azzopardi
Jan 21st, 13:39
Very simple answer to many discussions :
Did ever the outgoing govt audit the results of Transparency International and check why Malta is so deep down in the Corrupted Country list ?
C Busuttil
Jan 21st, 13:36
Fejn huwa zmien Eddie, povra PN x'ghamlulek
Kont partit li tista thares b'wiccek minn quddiem lejn kulhadd mentri illum hlief dawn il-"pudini" ma tarax. Ma kientx klikka li hakmet partit.
Fil-fond ta' qalbi nixtieq nivvota imma naf li mhux sewwa, ghalhekk ghal gid tal-partit hemm bzonn nitilfu u wara tindifa A1 minn fuq x'isfel u mhemmx dak u l-iehor u certu nies persone non grate jispiccaw
james zammit
Jan 21st, 13:31
X'gharukaza hlief riha ta' korruzzjoni m'hawnx u mbaghad jghidulna -Finanzi fis-sod imma ghal min huma fis-sod. Tal-klikka hatfu wisq u l-poplu jcappcpilhom ghax poplu bahnan u partiggjan. Jghid x'jghid Gonzi zmienu spicca u ghandu jwarrab u naghtu c-cans lil haddiehor. I-z-zghazagh illu jemmnu fit-tibdil u ghandhom ikunu huma u jaghmlu l-bidla minghajr pregudizzju.
Tania Farrugia
Jan 21st, 13:28
So when AG states above that 'decisions were not taken by just one or two people' does he mean that the WHOLE board decided to accept commissions and are all enjoying a cut? As I find it VERY hard to believe that no-one knew what was going on, after he himself chose the 10 board members!
George Grech
Jan 21st, 13:26
Money laundering, tax evasion, just to name a few points, probably a suspended sentence as usual. Same usual business for this administration. Very patriotic people.
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jan 21st, 13:24
If this case allegedly happened in 2004, i.e. 9 years ago, then why did it take so long to come out in the open?
If the newspaper that came out with this story had this information long time ago and not these just few days, then I do really smell a rat!
Could it be perhaps another election red-herring?
JC.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 13:22
Has any due diligence been made about TRAFIGURA, the company which still supplies oil to Enemalta, once this company was involved in scandals in Ivory Coast, Zambia and Jamaica ? Please refer to Wikipaedia.
David Bezzina
Jan 21st, 13:09
And the puzzle pieces are all coming into place.No wonder they want to keep the HFO powerstation.On the energy issue,the PN are not credible.
Pippo de Marco
Jan 21st, 12:50
If decisions are made collectively by a board, then unless one man can control, manipulate or unduly influence that board, then what would be the point in 'rewarding' just that one man ?
Can't wait for the outcome of the Police investigation. - But Imagine that will be well after 9th March.
Ethelbert Schembri
Jan 21st, 12:47
Thinking about it ... Is Agostino Pio implying that more than one took commission ???
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:43
Those who are asking for Gatt's resignation, do not forget the derision with which Muscat's offer to resign, was met with last week by the PN. Only honourable men resign - the others stay on in the hope of covering up their misdeeds.
fred sammut
Jan 21st, 12:42
nassumi li ma hemm hadt li jhoss li forsi ghandu jirezzenja hux??
jew ha nghidulha storm in a tea cup.... jew xewka zghira.....
hallas malti
Victor Laiviera
Jan 21st, 12:41
This is only Chapter One.
The report stated that Government had been warned about this and ignored the warnings. If that is confirmed it will be Chapter Two.
In the meantime, have the Police visited this Frank Sammut and sequestered all his documents, computers, etc. to verify the allegations?
If not, why not?
Ivan Attard
Jan 21st, 12:33
Austin: the legacy you are leaving behind should be compulsory textbook reading in schools for future generations. Lest the mistakes of the past are repeated.
M Grima
Jan 21st, 12:27
I guess the electorate never voted for this kind of dirty politics in the last election, but at the end they chose GonziPN and this is what they got.
And to add insult to injury these are the same people who are urging us to trust them again with our vote. We have given the PN not one chance but two chances to reform itself, but they have failed.
'Il-qasba ma c-caccaqx ta xejn'
J Martinelli
Jan 21st, 13:14
M Grima, the electorate repeatedly elected NP govts. because it knew which Party had a vision of more jobs, better health facilities, sounder finances & free education. In contrast to Labour's horrendous past of locking out doctors, having at least one corrupt minister, seizing banks' assets & leaving investors empty handed... the list is too long.
NP govts. were never violent & people prospered.
B. Farrugia
Jan 21st, 13:25
One can never reform yourself in government.
I f you are voted in government,
then the people are happy for the filth you dished out in the past and
will have to accept the same in the future.
A Trapani
Jan 21st, 13:27
M Grima ... maybe true but at the end GonziPN still delivered on most areas and I smell corruption with labour's new Power Station deal anyway... so, probably as it stands... no one deserves my vote this time.
C Busuttil
Jan 21st, 15:11
Martinelli
Yes it was In Eddie's days but not any more
PS- People nowadays are not prospering except for a restricted circle of friends
However it soon will be over and cleanup of the PN can start
lawrence spiteri
Jan 21st, 15:24
Sur Martinelli when all that happened I refused to vote in the General Elections because to me what is black is black and what is white is white. Can't you just for once do the same instead of trying to justify what the culprits of this infamous affair have done? I guess not because all you see is blue! And please stop going back to the distant past because your blues have a past as well.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:44
Martinelli: leaving investors empty handed- yep look at those poor guys who thought they were investing on the advice of BoV - no help at all from government.
Kenneth Azzopardi
Jan 21st, 12:25
When are the police going to trace the bank accounts of all the persons who received these commissions who know just how many persons are involved ?
J. Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:24
Gonzi... fejn huma il-par idejn sodi!! Busuttil qalilna il-birah waqt il-mass meeting li ghandhom kaptan, u dan il-kaptan huwa Lawrence Gonzi.
Imma nahseb li mhux il-kaptan imexxi, imma l-bahhara.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 12:20
Can anyone one of the knowitall writing tell me how a minister (not apologising for anyone here) would know if someone is abusing from his position by taking commissions unless the person doing so slips in covering his deeds, or unless someone else uncovers such person misdeeds? I am not exusing anyone, most of us have children and never know what they are up to and only know after they foul up.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 12:49
L-aktar jekk il-ministru jkun qieghed jiehu parti minn dik il-commission hu stess!! Il-qarnita hi kbira!!
walter camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:52
That's whyt a whistleblower act is necessary!
jm busuttil
Jan 21st, 12:55
@ Joseph Micallef
Not even any Enemalta audit would trace these transactions as these are issued from the mother company. On a smaller scale some one sends you a gift at home for managing to get him/her a discount from a third party.
Imagine that Labour are receiving kickbacks for the election campaign from the said done deal of their power station. No local audit will trace it.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 21st, 13:06
Who is responsible for his children after they foul up? The parents/guardian. The same when having board members appointed and trusted by a minister or the cabinet.
And to assume that there is only one person involved in an oil lobby is absurd.
P. Zammit
Jan 21st, 13:12
To the 2nd Joseph Micallef.... so you are implying that Minister Gatt was being given part of a commission which was being illegally taken by Frank Sammut ( who by the way seems to be a Labour Supporter ) ? You have one stretch of immagination.
Salvu Attard
Jan 21st, 13:26
I am certainly not a know it all, I am just an ordinary citizen, but may I ask was it not the PN who put Sammut as chairman of MOBC, was it not the PN who put the same man as director of Enemalta, was it not the same person's company who was dealing in Enemalta's oil, wasn't there anybody serious enough to check who the directors of this company were?
J Martinelli
Jan 21st, 13:28
Joseph Micallef II, are you hinting that AG was receiving kickbacks? You are really just short of libel.
Where were you when a certain Labour minister was giving away govt. lands to friends of friends & had to make certain that a student's parents were known Laburisti before letting them in University? Or when he was granting favourable leases on public lands & received huge 'gifts' in return?
Kevin Marks
Jan 21st, 13:30
Yes of course you are right....but dont tell me that you smell nothing when a gaffe after another happens!
Arriva,BWSC , ARMS ,Smart City for not removing just a pumping station and so on....My conclusion after all is that thats how the oligharcy works and seems that all the cabinet members got used to it
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 15:33
J. Martinelli: Have you ever heard that two wrongs do not make a right ? The wrong you mention happened decades ago. The wrongs of GonziPN are happening NOW !
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:47
Martinelli: a Minister is reponsible for those he appoints. The board is not made up of civil servants or those who pass an exam. They are hand picked by the Minister and he is therefore responsible for their behaviour. If he does not resign, he is setting a very precedent. Can you imagine if this happened in Canada? There the whole government would resign - but we have not reached that level yet.
M Grima
Jan 21st, 12:18
Can I ask the minister where exactly does the buck stops?
Easy answer. All responsibility rests on you Mr. Austin Gatt and no amount of excuses or beating around the bush would absolve you from being held responsible for the shady actions which may have occurred in your ministry. This is what happens in Western democracies, something which GonziPN preaches but never practices, Shame on the PN.
C Busuttil
Jan 21st, 12:16
Kuljum b'xi pudina povra PN, fejn huwa zmien Eddie!!!!
All the sterling work done by EFA has been destroyed. He worked hard to make to the PN electable, as it was always a party for a restricted section of the population with no chance to be elected (except interdett period) by making it appealing to the middle and lower class. Now the PN is back to the Pre-1977 days "Il-partit tas-sinjur"
M Grima
Jan 21st, 12:13
Could this be just the tip of the corruption iceberg. Under GonziPN, transparency, accountability , professionalism and resignations do not feature in any of the government's structure, so much so that people take such attributes for granted. But, what is truly alarming is that some individuals seem not only to get away with murder but they are literally supported and defended by GonziPN.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 21st, 12:01
Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people
BUT IN THE END THE Minister IMPLEMENT IT !!
M Grima
Jan 21st, 12:00
The minister has stated that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta. This can mean that if there were any kickbacks there might have been the possibility that more than one person was involved.
Fliemkien kollox jista jkun possibli!!!!!!
B. Farrugia
Jan 21st, 12:00
Shocked and appauled,
disgusted and deeply disappointed
who is telling the truth now,
GonziPN HAVE GONE TOO FAR.
Now things appear much more clearer
institutionalised corruption is alive and strong in Malta
we need a change.
J Martinelli
Jan 21st, 13:38
Appauled, or appalled?
What has the government to do with a person(s) deciding to break the law?
Once the PM heard the allegations, went straight to the Police.
How many 'allegations' has the LP made over the years, and how many were founded?
Don't give to the NP what really belongs to the LP whose past proves that they were experts in the field of corruption.
Too young to know, perhaps?
R. Aquilina
Jan 21st, 11:58
Is this guy for real....! No wonder the Whistleblower act was never passed. So , paid two million to this Mizzi guy for this filthy BWSC power station with only one year guarantee on it , and another couple of million to Frank Sammut. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Who knows how many other millions have been pocketed away in commissions / consultancy fees ( sic ) in these past ten years.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:40
Probably longer than ten years - think Mater Dei and all the waste.
R. Aquilina
Jan 21st, 11:58
Is this guy for real....! No wonder the Whistleblower act was never passed. So , paid two million to this Mizzi guy for this filthy BWSC power station with only one year guarantee on it , and another couple of million to Frank Sammut. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Who knows how many other millions have been pocketed away in commissions / consultancy fees ( sic ) in these past ten years.
fred sammut
Jan 21st, 12:29
4 million please........
M Gatt
Jan 21st, 11:53
Why was the whistleblower act never enforced when the government took the longest amount of "time-off" during these past 5 years? Not enough time is not good enough of an excuse when GonziPN promised that they would implement it. People that know these kind of things are afraid to come out with information because of the current law!
mario genovese
Jan 21st, 11:53
Simply shut up and prey that corruption law shall not be back-dated. No Minister in the world can come up with such a lame comment.
mario genovese
Jan 21st, 11:44
Austin just keep your mouth closed as NO ONE will believe whatever you say - too many 'conspiracies' have been awarded to your shortcomings for any Tom Dick or Harry to have any doubts about your wheeling and dealing - perhaps Gonzi who did not accept your resignation some time ago when it was defined as the 'right time'.
C Mallia
Jan 21st, 11:39
Dr Gatt likes to be warned instead of being proactive and makes sure that the people employed under his watch and in certain places have a sound reputation. Is it possible that he does not realise that the ultimate responsibility as minister is his? That his reputation is good or bad as of the people he has appointed? Instead he tries to shift blame like a captain saving his neck on a sinking ship
walter camilleri
Jan 21st, 11:33
At theend of the day, there is just one question to be asked - why was the Whistleblower act never brought into force? If it had been, perhaps one the "ten wise men" might have been induced to shed some light on this sad case. They would not risk having their assets frozen, as the AttorneyGeneral tried to make happen in another similar questionable case.
Walter Camilleri
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:41
Not only did they not intrudyce it, but they will crucify any whostle blower - think 75 yeard old Joe Borg, dragged out of his house, taken to jail overnight and brought to court in handcuffs- all because he reported Rita to her superiors in Brussels.
fred sammut
Jan 21st, 11:26
TAL MISTHIJA U Fullstop !!!!
Jeffrey Mallia
Jan 21st, 11:07
In 2009 Enemalta bought 712 MILLION US dollars......I wonder WHO split these commissions !! Tracking bank accounts is very easy today.........
Alfred Farrugia
Jan 21st, 11:03
What happened to the liberalization of the fuel market? With real competition the price of fuel might be a little lower, in spite of any commissions and the profit margin of the different local agents of foreign oil companies. This is on the agenda of the Malta Automobile Club.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Malta-Automobile-Club/484683321570286?fref=ts?fref=ts
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 11:00
What due diligence has been made on TRAFIGURA the company through which Enemalta has been buying its oil ??? This company has been involved in scandals in Ivory Coast on toxic waste , another scandal with a Zambian minister and yet another scandal involving Jamaican government ! Birds of a feather ???
m'anne portelli
Jan 21st, 10:59
Allura since the year 2004 no one has come out with this? why not then, or in 2005/04 2006, now after 8 years?
Late by a substantial amount of years,you don't believe something your hear especially when it happened 8 years ago, 4 weeks before an election
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 10:57
Part 1 of 2
What a shame! Under these circumstances, it's the whole PN who should resign and be held from contesting elections! These are serious allegations! If this happened in another country, alla biss jaf xkien jigri. X'kumbinazzjoni! One claims that he has contacts in enemalta. The other changed the environment law to allow HFO. The other cancelled a proposal for free gas pipe from ENI
Henry Mifsud
Jan 21st, 10:56
Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people.
Question is: Who was benefiting from the money ($10,000 per day) for "consultancy" services?
Conclusion: if they are accountable, they are all responsible.
Mr phil sam
Jan 21st, 10:55
" “We nominated a board of 10 people ". Says it all.
J Cauchi
Jan 21st, 10:53
And what about what the Auditor General declared in his annual report? Let us take only what he said about WasteSWerv, which falls under George Pullicino. A contract worth 1 million was raised to 29 million euros. Joseph Muscat asked the Police to investigate the cdaswe. Is it being investigated or not? And if not why? Can the Police states why they are sitting on the fence on this matter?
E. Azzopardi
Jan 21st, 10:52
It seems that we refused the gas pipleline the Italians wanted to pay for us, whatever the other expenses.
As has been alleged, the PEOPLE still want to know what happened about this oil business.
Above all, now we find out that a gas contract for 10 years can actually happen. I now would not be surprised at all if a power station is built in 2 years!
The PN better pull their socks up.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 21st, 10:52
Continuation.
The more serious crime is the sad fact that some voters still applaud Gonzipn in spite of it all.
Francis Deguara
Jan 21st, 10:51
Id-dnub ma jorqodx!!!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 21st, 10:49
In times of old when victims were demanded by corrupt middle men both PL and PN supporters to pay LM 50 kickback to obtain a colour TV, the Nationalist Party branded the then responsible Minister and the Labour Administration as accessories to the crime. Now Gonzipn is trying to shred off political responsibly for crimes committed by board members appointed by its own government. The more serious
F. Mercieca
Jan 21st, 10:47
U din biss? Insejna l-allegazzjonijiet tal-ex Sindku N. Dimech u ta zewg Kunsilliera tal-Kunsill Sliema, fejn allegaw li P. Borg Olivier cempillu biex jinfluwenzah jaghti l-kuntratt lil GreenMT? U kif ex Sindku J. Gozni tat l-istess kuntratt minghajr ma saret diskussjoni f'xi laqgha tal-Kunsill? Dawn mhux allegazzjonijiet serji? Il-Pulizija se tinvestiga? Dawn flejjhes pubblici tafux!!
Albert Farrugia
Jan 21st, 10:43
Let's say one believes Minister Gatt when he says that he had absolutely no idea what was happening, This would mean, then, that he has been cheated by people whom he trusted. In itself that is ground for resignation. We give power to politicians who we believe are competent to put trustworthy and competent people in charge.
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 21st, 14:50
Well said!!
R. De Giorgo
Jan 21st, 10:42
COMMISIONS = FUTUR FIS-SOD (ghall-klikka gonzipn)
Alfred Galea
Jan 21st, 10:38
If this is true this money must be collected and pay off most Enemalta Debts. Maybe the rest of the loan will be paid by the person who had received commission on the new power station. In this manner Electricity rates would do down immediately and Gonzi would stay in power.
Giocchino Attard
Jan 21st, 14:37
wishful thinking
alfred seguna
Jan 21st, 10:35
I feel that for the credibility of the government he should see first of all that these things are not happening even now.Secondly I feel that all those responsible who were duty bound to see that these things don't happen are also responsible because they failed in their duty.They should have taken all the necessary measures to see that such things don't occur.It looks like a team work job.
Carmel Grima
Jan 21st, 10:34
Ma nwahhalx fil-gvern imma fil-kummissarju tal-Pulizija ghax issa li jaf b'kollox u li deheret fil-media ohra u bil-provi, issa se jinvestiga u jitfa lil min hu kolpevoli fejn jisthoqlu jew le? Qed nistenna lil Kap ta' l-oppizizzjoni johrog stqarrija fuq jekk jitla hu fil-gvern x' se jaghamel fuq dan Sammut ghax jien nivvota fuq kemm il-gvern jikkumbatti l-korruzzjoni inkella "better the devil....
Jay Oatmon
Jan 21st, 10:32
Having a group of people decide does not eliminate corruption - look at the banks or the mafia for example.
Charlo Agius
Jan 21st, 10:30
What a shame on these persons involved . . . . It's time to CHANGE !!!
anthony sultana
Jan 21st, 10:20
Franco was right all the time, we need people like Franco the great,to stop the rip offs,on poor people.
j brincat
Jan 21st, 10:19
Wouldn't things seem cleaner had GonziPN enacted the Whistle Blower's Act?
jb
m. borg (slm)
Jan 21st, 10:12
Kif jghid il-malti, l-gharef Austin Gatt waqqa l-gebla fuq saqajh.
Grazzi Austin, aktar ser ninvestigaw BIL-QALB.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 21st, 10:11
I hope they don't expect a golden handshake from the a PL government when they lose their ministry jobs like what happened after the 2008 elections.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 21st, 10:09
"Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people"
Which could only mean there are more on the take.
Thank you Mr Gatt for this enlightening statement, for spilling more beans because fools show their hands when they are in a jam.
Thomas Anderson
Jan 21st, 10:05
Dr gatt for crying out loud accept that you were mistaken with the people you chose and if this case is proven accept political responsability and dont try to blame everyone except yourself.
Charles Caruana Carabez
Jan 21st, 10:02
This revolves around the limits of ministerial responsibility. At present, ministers (despite the nomenclature) refuse to assume it. I think that's wrong. Much worse is the fact that there seems to be no real system of vigilance. Enemalta has been Malta's best-kept secret for far too long, and Arms Ltd. was used to keep people at arm's length from the truth, by harassing them.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:47
You forgot to mentionM EPA - a system whereby friends get their dubious permits without the Minister seeming to be responsible. MEPA is a good study of putting up a front that seems nice and clean, avoiding fingers being pointed at the Minister. But we all know that a certain Minister had an office in his Ministry where certain applicants were invited to discuss their proposal.
A Cachia
Jan 21st, 10:01
1 vs 9 a bit difficult....
Maybe others are on board and some are too naive?
Joe A. Borg
Jan 21st, 09:56
If the decision was not taken by just one person or two, then by conclusion it is the whole system that is corrupt!
In the eye of the law, ignorance is not bliss and when millions are involved, there should be crosschecks and crosschecks as at the end this is tax payer money.
Oliver Grech
Jan 21st, 09:54
If the corruption did take place, the person in question should clearly be taken to court and pay for his actions as I am totally against such fraud.
However I hope that the MLP is not engaging itself in similar commissions. I fear that the MLP energy proposal and the millions spent on the campaign by the same party are linked. On the other hand the PM immediately took action.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 21st, 09:51
Gatt you are so right, it takes an organized "klikka" to put together this money box for the few. Whether it was one person or a hundred there is no excuse for corruption. It is useless throwing the blame on someone else, we are now used to this bad habit by the incompetencce of GonziPN.
J. Zammit
Jan 21st, 09:47
A panel indeed, but some nominated experts have more experience/influence than others. When approached by industry contributors, you summarily dismissed them, saying that these were matters of national importance and asking them to keep out of these matters - didn't you Dr Gonzi? Such a pity to see your government persist in the ways of its error, much to everyone's detriment, including your own.
pat muscat
Jan 21st, 09:42
So now we have to add other pearl to Austin Gatt's necklace of blunders: Smart City, Arriva, Bwsc, the brilliant idea to go for oil and not for gas, the jealousy for Professor Bonnici, and to top it all the new scandal in oil procurement?
George Cutajar
Jan 21st, 09:38
The statement by Austin Gatt is very clear. The procurement board was an independant body and now that this allegation has surfaced Malta has the instituions in place to investigate and prosecute. It isnuseless laying blame until the matter is investigated as I am sure it will be.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 21st, 09:33
A good and honest adjudications board member as well as a confidence-trickster will not have many problems to convince the 50% board members to vote his way.
Dutch oil firm Trafigura that supplied Enemalta with its fuel oil requirements was aware of that obvious fact, moreover, we do not yet know if other members were involved in receiving kickbacks.
Alex Cutajar
Jan 21st, 09:32
The responsibility lies on the minister and the government.
There is not enough security and issues are not taken seriously.
Charles Micallef
Jan 21st, 09:32
“We nominated a board of 10 people where decisions were taken together, not one or two persons deciding alone,” Dr Gatt said... so are we saying that the 10 board members aware of these kickbacks?
Albert Bonello
Jan 21st, 09:21
Everyone as usual wants to be Judge & Jury before the police investigations r finalised. Whilst it is clear that this is a case of corruption we have to wait for all d evidence before pointing fingers. In the event that people in high places and possibly ministers are implicated then they should be brought to justice, but for crying out loud it does not mean that everyone in the PN is corrupt.
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 21st, 09:15
Is this the same minister who did not resign so as to let the Budget through & save Malta, according to GonziPN, from the degregation by S&P? After MaterDeiGate, PowerstationGate, DalliGate, ErasmusGate, CityGateGate, AirmaltaGate, etc now one can add another GattGate. And the PM had the cheek to mention deceased Lorry Sant, who could not defend himself, in the nation's budget speech?
Denis Pace
Jan 21st, 10:04
You risk actually believing all these "gates" if you keep on repeating.
Just as Alfred Sant once wisely said:
When you throw mud, some may stick!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 10:43
The PN does not believe in resignation. Can't you see how they treated with derision Muscat's promise to resign if the energy proposal fails? Only honourable people resign as a sign that they admit they have failed. They make room for other people who might be better than them -something Gonzi & Co can never admit to.
GL Calleja
Jan 21st, 11:43
Some people develop selective seeing and selective hearing at times. The man said "The buck stops here" and by here and in this case the here means Austin Gatt, but as always shit runs downhill.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jan 21st, 09:12
Whoever is responsible should get this matter ironed out very quickly and people involved made to pay for their actions.
Paul Abela
Jan 21st, 11:13
And by 'quickly' one means in good time before March. The results can affect one party positively and the other negatively!
A Dimech
Jan 21st, 09:12
Agreed with Gatt for once;
One ro two people =/= to a lobby
A lobby is usually larger
R Casha
Jan 21st, 11:06
you agreed with him....but do you believe what he said?!
mario gellel
Jan 21st, 09:10
SIGNING THE "BWSC" CONTRACT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IS NORMAL PRACTICE DONE BY A COUNTRY "S PRIME MINISTER, FINIANCE MINISTER AND ENERGY MINISTER ??????
OR IS IT ???????? NO WONDER MA "GONZIPN JAQBILLEK.(at least for the Clique)
Maria Xuereb
Jan 21st, 09:07
Ma nafx x'ma garax kull fejn kellu x'jaqsam dan il-Ministru Gatt. X'jonqos issa u Alla jbierek qisu ma hu jigri xejn, responsabilta ZERO. Kif jista jkun li hadd, hadd imma hadd ma jerfa nitfa responsabilta? JIena ma nafx imma li kieku dawn l-affarijiet graq Zimbabwe nahseb li xi hadd kien ilaqqatha imma Malta hija XEMPJU TAD-DEMOKRAZIJA FL-EWROPA jghidilna Dr, Gonzi. U mhux hekk nibqghu tghid.
Sammy Vella
Jan 21st, 09:06
Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people...
Will the police be investigating the whole procurement board members.. cos with his words the minister can be shedding doubts on who recieved the commissions.. could be one person and could be more.
Give us some light on this pls Mr. Minister
Sammy Vella
Jan 21st, 10:37
Just to avoid confusion and also to ensure that credit goes to those who merit it, please note that the author of the above is NOT Sammy Vella from Mellieha.
Sammy Vella
Mellieha
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jan 21st, 09:06
Kick backs alright , please make my day! Kick me on the back side for. Million ....
Ninu
Luca Barbara
Jan 21st, 09:05
jekk hawn xi hadd f'Malta li ma tistax temmen dak li jghid hu int Dr. Gatt. Qatt f'hajti ma rajt politiku bhalek...anzi sorry Silvio Berlusconi!!
Denis Pace
Jan 21st, 10:05
Ghazilt ezempju hazin...LAPSUS...Berlusconi kien wiehed li ghen il MLP meta ghamlu TV/Radio.......habib kbir ta Craxi.
Saqsi lil Joe Grima
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 09:04
Amazing, this type of allegations only comes out in the open during the election time. What baffles me is, if this is TRUE we’re talking about something which happened years ago. So, why wait all this years to come out and report it???
A Calleja
Jan 21st, 09:23
Totally agree with you here. Why now, so many years later !!!
Charles Busuttil
Jan 21st, 10:06
Maybe because there is no proper and effective whistleblower act?
R. De Giorgo
Jan 21st, 10:48
.......@ Eric Bonello
Are you so sure about what you wrote?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 21st, 11:13
Eric Bonello: How can you tell that such corruption "happened years ago " when the same company TRAFIGURA is still the same company supplying oil to Enemalta ???
Donna Parnis
Jan 21st, 11:24
Because we dont have a whistle blowers act as gonzi would not do one, thats why its only coming out now
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 12:24
PT1.Well, from other reports I read in the newspaper gave me the impression that it didn’t start yesterday which makes me to think that these people had enough time to make up their mind. Either you want to speak out or you don’t. Then again I’m not implying anything apart that it always happens during the election time.
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 12:27
PT2.It’s WRONG if it’s true but more so if one waited for specific time to speak out, these people are speaking out now & still there’s no whistle blower act
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 12:29
Yes Donna, it’s always Gonzi fault, Onenews thought you well how to discredit GonziPN.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 21st, 12:50
Eric: what's wrong with the timing? Its the best time so that we know and do not forget what kind of people we have in government. I believe we will be hearing more similar stories -so hold on to your seat.
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 14:09
PT1. The impression I have is that it didn’t start yesterday & there must be something wrong here which makes me to think that these people had enough time to make up their mind. Either you want to speak out or you don’t. Then again I’m not implying anything apart that it always happens during the election time. It’s just my impression unlike some comments in here
Eric Bonello
Jan 21st, 14:10
PT2. Normally we have the opposition leader coming out with these allegations during the election time, but since they changed their style we’re hearing the same old story from different sources, like I said It’s wrong if it’s TRUE but it’s worse if someone new beforehand & kept it wrapped under the blanket for political or personal gain.
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 21st, 14:42
Mr Bonello,
The timing when these news come out is irrelevant. What we all should be concerned of is why these things are happening!! ...... and what to do in the future so that such things do not happen again!!
moira sciberras
Jan 21st, 09:03
Niskanta kif partit laburista jitkellem fuq korruzzjoni meta Joseph stess qabel ma kien Kap tal opposizzjoni meta ha l peremess tal prophets tieghu fi zmien gimgha.din mhux korruzjoni??? U Dan ma kien xejn ahseb u ara jekk ikollu gvern f idejh ghax jaghmilha Malta tieghi ukoll.
Charles Busuttil
Jan 21st, 10:12
Nahseb li flok 'prophets' ridt tghid proprjetå. Jekk hu hekk missek taf li kull ma rid jirrange Joseph kienet xi haga zghira fuq il-faccata, minghalija l-gallarija. Tahseb inti li permess fuq xi haga zghira bhal din ghandu jiehu aktar minn gimgha biex johrog? Fejn hi l-korruzzjoni? Missek taf li dan l-ahhar harge permess fuq xi haga ferm akbar u hareg 4 xhur qabel iz-zmien!
pat muscat
Jan 21st, 09:01
Is is a state secret to get to know who, when and how these 10 persons were appointed? Its our money and we have the right to this information.
Ethelbert Schembri
Jan 21st, 08:55
Some question must be made; who was the one that changed the rules so that this person could get in the board thus start getting that nice commission? Who changed the fuel plan for the power stations 2 times so that person could keep on getting his commission? Who was the one responsable to change the law so that the BWSC, that use the same oil this person deal in, could win the contract?
P Mangion
Jan 21st, 08:48
does that mean that more kick backs where distributed?
Eve Axiaq
Jan 21st, 08:48
Forsi hemm aktar nies involuti. Forsi hemm min b'xi mod jirnexxilu jizgicca. Imbaghad l-awditur jew il kummissarju jsib duhhan biss.
Paul Cassar
Jan 21st, 08:46
you chose the board members for us .....................than you are FULLY RESPONSIBLE.................. ask all
democratic govts. OR are we in the eu just for kicks and visits?????????????
K. Vella II
Jan 21st, 08:40
I believe ex-Minister Gatt when he says he's not responsible.
By the way, under which heading should I list myself in the Yellow Pages to get a chance at being randomly selected to form part of a procurement committee, with the possibility of lucrative kickbacks as part of the total package?
paul camilleri
Jan 21st, 08:38
if this Mr Sammut person and others are found guilty then his finacial and fixed assets should be confiscated and returned to Enimalta.
Pav Elliot
Jan 21st, 08:37
Dr. Gatt,
A position of responsibility, is to ensure that good governance & practises are maintained, otherwise there is no point being there.
You brought shame to the PN and allowed our taxes to be stolen. Worse still, you poured scorn over FD who tried to expose you. But in the end the truth always comes out. Your greed ruined the PN.
Go hide yourself silly man, as ABC likes to say....
Rita Spiteri
Jan 21st, 08:36
Excuse me for asking,but does the Prime Minister have to ask the police to investigate???? Can the police just investigate without Dr Gonzi's permission ??
Denis Pace
Jan 21st, 10:06
just what JM said!
Charles Micallef
Jan 21st, 08:24
Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people...
no one is interested as to how many people you elected to the board to take decisions, what we are concerned is that one of your appointees has taken money out of the taxpayers and their childrens' mouths and who is who is going to accept political responsablity? or do we sweep tthis under the carpet with the rest?
B Vella
Jan 21st, 08:08
Malta once again is waiting for Austin Gatt Resignation....after all we are a European country .!
George Abela
Jan 21st, 08:49
Resign from what?
Sammy Vella
Jan 21st, 08:03
Can the minister mention these 10 names??? I think he should in the public interest and to clear his name
Joseph Portelli
Jan 21st, 07:55
adni kemm rajt lil esponent ewlieni tal-labour jitkellem fuq TVAM - il-leader jghid li se jaghmlu kampanja pozittiva u mhux se jaqghu ghan-negattivizmu u hafna paroli bhal dawn u jidher car li dawn se jippruvaw jergghu juzaw l-istess tattici tal-imghoddi - jitfghu t-tajn u jitfghu t-tajn bit-tama li xi haga tehel!
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 21st, 08:16
Ma tistax tippretendi li ma jsemmix allegazzjonijiet u abbuz imma hux. Inkella jkun irresponsabbli jekk ma jigbidx l-attenzjoni tan nies li jekk jergu jivvutaw lil din l-amministrazzjoni ha jibqa jkollna min dawn is sitwazzjonijiet. U fuq kollox jghodd ghalik ukol li tkun taf ghax int qed thallas ghalihom dawn l-affarijiet. Issa jekk trid iddahhal rasek fit tajn ghamila. Jien nippreferi nkun naf
Jesmond Chetcuti
Jan 21st, 08:16
Joseph are you joking ?!!!! this is not mud slinging and it didnt even come from the LP, this revelation is the fruit of a well done investigation by a highly respected newspaper...sorry to say this but some people are blind...eventhe minister himself is trying to disassociate from the incident ...
joe vella
Jan 21st, 08:21
isma il partit tieghek qed jibbaza il kampanja tieghu billi jipprova jbezza lill poplu bli gara fit tmeninijiet
dik is sustanza kollha tal futur fis sod
Jeffrey Mallia
Jan 21st, 08:22
Mela int Mr Portelli, kuntent li hawn dawn il kwalitajiet ta nies ?? Sewwa qed nifem ?? Miskin int, u minn hu bhalek !!
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Jan 21st, 08:25
jekk ELUF f commision kuljum huwa tfieh ta tajn ghalik mela vera ma tifhem xejn.
Taf xinhu tfieh ta tajn>>> li lewwel jajdulna li l power station tal gas ma tistax issir > umbat irridu jghamlu huma, li ma tistax tghamel kuntratt ta 10 snin umbat huma jighdulna li kellom li ofrewlom ghal 25 sena.
J. Abela
Jan 21st, 08:26
X'tippretendi? Ghandek potenzjal serju ta' korruzzjoni u tixhim u hadd ma jitkellem fuqu, vavu?
Minn dejjem kontu mmexxija mill-omerta', sakemm imiss u jaqbel lilkom. Il-kumment tieghek jikxfek.
Charles Micallef
Jan 21st, 08:33
Joseph......, what has blatant corruption got to do with throwing mud? This incident has not been denied this stinks and sickens the nation irrespective of one's political allegeance!
Joseph Portelli
Jan 21st, 08:35
M'iniex kuntent b'dawn is-sitwazjonijiet zgur! Pero dan ir-ragel li jien m'andix idea min hu mhux il-PN! Il-PM ta' gentlom li hu mill-ewwel mar ghand il-kummisarju u talbu jinvestiga malajr. U perswaz li jekk hemm verita fi ftit jiem ohra dan ir-ragel jiehu li haqqu! Imma l-PL ghandu wkoll hafna x'jara. Nistaqsi jien: minn fejn qed igib dawn il-miljuni all-kampanja u b'liema kundizzjonijiet?
Stephen Abela
Jan 21st, 08:59
Sur Portelli L Partit Laburista zgur mhux qed jgib il flus mit taxxi taghna ! u nahseb li dan diga bizzejjed , u by the way dan l argument ma ghandux x jaqsam , qed thallat il hass mal pitravi . DON T PANIC !
B Attard
Jan 21st, 09:03
Tidher li tapprova l-korruzzjoni. Jaqaw qatt ma gejt migdum? jew int forsi wiehed minn tal- klikka ta' GONZIPN?
J. Abela
Jan 21st, 09:16
@ Mr Portelli
"Imma l-PL ghandu wkoll hafna x'jara. Nistaqsi jien: minn fejn qed igib dawn il-miljuni all-kampanja u b'liema kundizzjonijiet?"
Bil-kejl tieghek, statement bhal dan mhux tfiegh ta tajn ukoll, appartli li hu infondat. U apparti li m'ghandux x'jaqsam xejn mas-suggett.
John B. Borg
Jan 21st, 10:19
X'tippretendi Sur Portelli? Li l-oppozzjoni tibqa muta u ma titkellemx dwar storja ta korruzzjoni imxandra fuq gurnalokali? L-oppozizzjoni mhux qed titfa tajn. Il-pajjiz ilu jghum fit-tajn tal korruzzjoni, inefficjenza u nuqqas ta kontabilita snin twal taht in-Nazzjonalisti. Mater Dei u BWSC ezempi cari ta dan li qed nghid. U dan inhallsu ghlih int u ahna ilkoll,
A FARRUGIA
Jan 21st, 10:49
Naf li kien baqali lahhar naqra fiducja u tlifta f dal Gvern .Ghax xbajt nisma stejjer godda.
C Falzon
Jan 21st, 11:09
@ Joseph Portelli,,,,tfigh ta tajn qed tghid? Daqs kemm kienet tfigh ta tajn tal Mistra fl elezzjoni l ohra Sur Portelli. U l kampanja ta biza GonziPaNik qed jamila u mhux il Labour Party.
victor caruana
Jan 21st, 07:46
Then shame on all of them and the minister himself!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: