Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt yesterday made a statement at police headquarters as investigations into an oil scandal continued.
Dr Gatt – who was responsible for Enemalta when it is being alleged that a former director of the State-owned corporation accepted commissions over fuel procurement contracts – was questioned for almost two hours by Police Commissioner John Rizzo.
As he left police headquarters in Floriana, Dr Gatt said: “I would be happy to publish the statement I gave the police, but I was asked by the police not to in order not to hinder investigations.
“I would have no problem in publishing once the police tell me it is OK.”
Last week Dr Gatt said he would be happy to reply to any questions which the police may have on oil procurement.
He insisted he was not personally involved in oil procurement decisions.
After leaving Floriana, Dr Gatt attended a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Castille.
A statement by the Department of Information clarified that the Cabinet meeting had been scheduled and was not an emergency gathering as reported by other sections of the media yesterday.
Dr Gatt has denied any involvement in the case and said that throughout his political career as minister he had “never, ever” discussed tenders under his portfolio with anyone.
Newspaper Malta Today had published a story two weeks ago alleging that Frank Sammut invoiced Dutch company Trafigura “a consultancy fee” for the supply of fuel oil to the State energy company. A document purporting to be an invoice published by Malta Today was dated March 2004.
The police questioned Mr Sammut at length last week, keeping him at the depot overnight. Former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone, who had appointed Mr Sammut as a personal consultant between 2003 and 2004, was also questioned.
Police sources said Mr Tabone was taken ill during questioning and is currently recovering in hospital.
But the case continued to develop on Sunday when Malta Today published exchanges between George Farrugia, the Ħamrun lobbyist, and officials from Trafigura and French oil company Total, allegedly discussing a commission on oil sales to Enemalta. One of the last alleged exchanges was dated 2010.
Enemalta was under Dr Gatt’s portfolio between 2003 and 2010, when a Cabinet reshuffle saw the energy corporation move over to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com