Leo Brincat denies appointing Frank Sammut
Video: Matthew Mirabelli
Labour MP Leo Brincat this morning denied that he was the one who, as minister responsible for Enemalta, had appointed Frank Sammut to the oil procurement committee.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Brincat said Mr Sammut - who is at the centre of allegations of commissions for oil purchases - had been appointed by then Parliamentary Secretary Ninu Zammit in the late 1980s.
Mr Sammut had even been given an office at the Enemalta building despite not being an employee of the corporation.
He said that when he was minister (1996-1998) he had appointed Paul Vella as chairman of MOBC to ensure that there were no irregularities in oil bunkering services.
It look like the suspicions he had had the time had foundation, Mr Brincat said. He noted that he had asked Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt a question in parliament based on a claim in a renowned bunkering journal that Mr Sammut was associated with a bunkering company in which a former Enemalta chairman was also involved. At the time, Mr Brincat said, he had received reports of excessive dependence on one or two companies. At the time, the minister had said he preferred to see oil purchases from a cluster of companies as a way to reducing costs for refining the oil.
In his press conference Mr Brincat said he reports of various irregularities in Wasteserv and workers were prepared to provide information once a Whistleblower Act was in place. He said the irregularities involvement tendering and procurement as well as various management practices.
Labour candidate Manuel Mallia said a labour government would be very careful and would conduct detailed research before awarding contracts, particularly to multinational companies who had been mentioned in the context of corruption.
Both Dr Mallia and Mr Brincat said the government was not credible when it promised legislation to fight corruption, to protect whistleblowers and to regulate party financing. All three had been promised for years and it was indicative that no legislation was moved.
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42 Comments
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steve Micallef
Jan 30th, 00:36
can't they just ask Mr Sammut who appointed him ? easy and I am sure somewhere there should be a bit of a paper trail or is it all done by word of mouth???
Maltese Government officials are a bit like the British comedy '' yes minister'' or ''faulty towers'' lol
and they get paid...... lol
Vincent Mercieca
Jan 29th, 20:42
If my memory serves me correctly, when Alfred Sant was elected he maintained all employees in their grade and position and even directors on various boards that were appointed by the previous Fenech Adami’s administration so as not to have too much disruptions.
I suppose this also included Frank Sammut. Frank Sammut was appointed during the Fenech Adami administration.
John Scerri
Jan 29th, 19:39
``He said that when he was minister (1996-1998)``
The famous Finance minister who was part of the Labour Government that Dom.Mintoff [God Bless his soul ] stated loud and clear .''Tliftu l-boxxla socjali'' after his budget.
What will his role be after 9th March ??? Mentor for Profs .Scicluna ????
jm busuttil
Jan 29th, 16:31
As usual always half backed comments by Leo Brincat.
He makes all believe that he is a wise guy.
Come on Leo who appointed him ???
Adrian P. Cassar
Jan 29th, 16:52
These are facts we are speaking about not opinions JM Busuttil!!
Paul Borg
Jan 29th, 16:57
Ninu Zammit . Check the records . Any more wise questions ?
Francis Sammut
Jan 29th, 18:14
But he just told you. Can't you read?
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 29th, 18:31
Busuttil Try, please try, NOT to make a fool of yourself. Read properly before hitting the keyboard!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 29th, 18:38
Busuttil, like Tonio Fenech, tries to pin the PN failures on the LP. Too bad that facts show otherwise.
P. Ciantar
Jan 29th, 16:26
Police please call Leo Brincat too !!!
Joe M Borg
Jan 29th, 17:33
Leo Brincat KINDLY reminds us that he is a throwback to Malta's most disastrous gov., in 1996-8. So generous of him. Most first time voters don't know about the failures YOUR government was responsible for, like the CET introduction, and 33 new taxes, of which PN removed or reduced 25! Also the stipends suffered under YOUR government. And the high tariffs when oil was $12 a barrel. Thanks Leo
P. Ciantar
Jan 29th, 18:16
well said Joe M Borg and not to go back that the same Leo Brincat who was General Manager at Mid Med Bank till the late 90s in the same time as being a Lejber MP is one of the ministers who in 1981 against the majority of the country who voted PN formed part of that shameless govt.
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 16:02
Leo Brincat et al are living proof of how failed Labour politicians are still part of Joseph's gang.
But, I recall that Labour wants us to forget the past, though it constantly presents voters with the same politicians who crucified our economy & brought democracy to the very brink of collapse.
We forgive, especially because thanks to the NP, the whole ugly scene was reversed, but we won't forget.
G. Bugeja
Jan 29th, 16:21
Dan huwa lezzjoni ta kemm il-Partiti fil-Gvern u barra m innu jridu joqoghdu attenti lil min jappuntaw fil-Bords. U dan ighodd ukoll ghall-kandidati li jkollhom maghhom. Iz-zewg partiti ghandhom xi whud li, li kieku ghamlu l-homework sewwa, ma kienux jkunu accettazti bhala kiandidati. Wara m'hemmx biki!~!!~!
James Grech
Jan 29th, 15:57
It would be a gross mistake for the PN to go along that path. The real issue is not who hired whom, though Mr Brincat already pointed out that he was not involved in that, but whether the minister somehow knew about it and did not take the necessary action. Why Sammut, & others were kept in the loop and how they had access to sensitive information? Whether others were involved and who?
R. Lewis
Jan 29th, 15:38
But who appointed who doesn't make a difference. Every appointee surely was appointed by someone, under all Govts. The problem lies with whoever is responsible, CEOs, Chairmen, Ministers, PS, PM, (both Govts). If they had the slightest doubt about anything suspicious, whether they have acted accordingly, if not they are part of it. It's a very straight forward procedure.
j brincat
Jan 29th, 15:33
@Mario Mercieca
"Liktar jekk jaghmlu xi kuntratt ta 600 euro power statio b expression of interest"
ARE you by any chance referring to the €600 a WEEK Gonzi & pals pocketed behind our backs?
Sssssh!!!!
LOL!!!!
jb
Joe M Borg
Jan 29th, 17:35
j brincat, KULHADD jaf li 600,000,000 Euro ried ifisser. Imma int kont rieqed, probabbli!
Mario Mercieca
Jan 29th, 18:28
Int ghal li jista jkun mhux l-istess joseph Brincat li kont parti mill gvern laburista li gabilna it telephone exchanges second hand hux? Allura jekk jgibulna xi PS second hand tkun ferhan int hux? Ghax ma tammettix li il-Gvern introduca sistemi ta procurement u tenders trasparenti bid drittijiet kollha u inthom ha tergghu twaqqghu kollox ghaz zufjett bl-expressions of interest?
Ivan M. Dingli
Jan 29th, 19:20
@ Mr. Mercieca
Ghal informazzjoni tieghek, l'expressions of interest ghadhom johorgu sal gurnata ta' llum.
Dwar it-tenders u d-drittijiet li qed issemmi, dawn jidhlu fis-sehh meta jkunu a favur tal-Gvern u mhux meta jkunu a favur tal-kuntrattur. Klawzola li ghandi fil-kuntratt tieghi tghid li jekk ma nithallasx fi zmien 150 gurnata niehu pagament bl'imghax, xi haga li qatt ma grat wara 9 xhur!
Victor Vella
Jan 29th, 15:19
The usual arrogance, corruption, and lies as the brand of GonziPN.
GL Calleja
Jan 29th, 15:38
The usual arrogance and lies is the brand of both parties and the dedicated politically blind party better take a deep breath and think who they will vote into office. I know it is very hard, but people have to stop voting for the Party and start voting for the man that will represent them the best. Step out of the box and vote smart.
Victor Vella
Jan 29th, 15:48
Mr Calleja while I agree 100% with you, but remember that the first preference vote is for the party, or rather for the party in government and not for the `smart` candidate. We stopped voting for the candidates in the 1987 elections. This is the true, hard fact!
Joe M Borg
Jan 29th, 17:40
Victor, don't speak about lies and arrogance. Do you recall how often before last election YOUR beloved PL emphasised that if Gonzi were elected, health would NOT REMAIN FREE? WHO was arrogant and WHO was lying, as today, after 5 years, health is STILL free. Only a PL gov. EVER put a price on health. THAT is the PL brand. Stop putting PL burdens on PN!
j brincat
Jan 29th, 15:06
Sammut was appointed by a PN government in 1987! If I remember correctly Ninu Zammit was the then Minister responsible for Enemalta!
In anycase all this was revealed by TOM last week!
So, a simple search on TOM Archives would reveal the 'secret'!
jb
Joseph Borg
Jan 29th, 16:09
Can you give the link of TOM please.
Mario Mercieca
Jan 29th, 15:01
Liktar jekk jaghmlu xi kuntratt ta 600 euro power statio b expression of interest.
J Muscat
Jan 29th, 15:52
Mr Mercieca, for your information the expression of interest would be to purchase electricity and not to buy or built a power station, but it seems that you are so biased or maybe confused that you do not know the difference!
Mario Mercieca
Jan 29th, 18:37
AFAIK The expression of interest was meant to find a suitable partner to build the power station from which you will then buy the electricity and give it its fair share of profit over sales and investments..or is that company already decided? So when you are paying it for its investment aren't you also paying for the powerstation?
joseph green
Jan 29th, 14:32
Leo , if you know some kind of corruption regarding the Wasteserve you should go to the police and be credible.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 29th, 15:32
Nahseb min tah l-informazzjoni lil Leo ma tahx il-provi ghax la m'hemmx WB act mhux se jghaddi l-provi biex jinkrimina ruhu ukoll. Ghalhekk Leo Brincat qed jghid li ghandu jkun hemm din il-ligi. Il-provi cari xi hadd mix-xibka stess irid johroghom.
U bilhaqq kuntratt ta miljun isir 29 million trid tkun stupidu biex tahseb li kollox kien dritt.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 29th, 16:00
Mr Green: we have seent his kind of comment before, but you should realise that no one is going to risk his neck and expsose corruption unles she he going to be protected. That is wht the Whistleblower Act is needed -and that is why we are all astounded that Gonzi did not make this law nor plans to do so. Why? What is he afraid of?
Peter Murray
Jan 29th, 14:30
so it would appear that Paul Bonello -who was ostensibly appointed as Chairman of MOBC by Leo Brincat to "ensure no irregularities occurred "- failed in this task.Moreover,that Mr BrIncat's "suspicions" which he had all those years ago took an inordinate amount of time to manifest themselves and weren't followed up robustly at the time in question .Easy to be a genius in hindsight.
Peter Murray
Jan 29th, 17:25
Apologies-as I meant Paul Vella.
John Camilleri
Jan 29th, 14:26
How are MLP going to be careful when awarding contracts if they plan to award a Eur600 million power station contract without a tender process?
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 29th, 14:13
He may have an alibi.
At that time he was creating the MEGA FROGA called CET.
R. Balzan
Jan 29th, 15:38
You're trying to cover up your party's filth with something that is out of context. Failed.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 29th, 17:33
Cover what exactly?
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jan 29th, 13:40
Leo Brincat should not be blamed for appointing Frank Sammut. It is Sammut himself that is to answer for the allegations made against him and no one else.
paul camilleri
Jan 29th, 14:31
Mr Calleja what you say is true but then why was it when Dr Austin Gatt was mentioned everyone wanted his head? whats good for the goose is also good for the Gander. or maybe that the truth is comming to light the LP supporters do not like it
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 29th, 16:03
Mr Calleja I do not agee. I want to know why Sammut was repeatedly appointed by the PN in top posts, given an office at Enemalta when he is not an employee and rewarded when he was made to retire by the PN Government. Whoever appointed him should have known what he is and is therefore responsible for his appointment.
victor bonello
Jan 29th, 13:31
finally it seems Pandoras box is about to see the light.
Please choose the reason of your report below: