The Local Governance Board has adopted the recommendations of the Local Government Monitoring Unit that Lija council immediately terminate the services of a consultant and private contractor it had been using for the past two years in breach of public procurement rules.

The monitoring board was investigating complaints by PL council member Marc Sant about the use of consultant Chris Pullicino, who received €4,130 for services rendered on four occasions.

Dr Sant also complained that Waste Collection Limited was paid over €7,000 over more than a year to provide water bowser services when the council had its own source of water that could not be used for a while because of damage caused during road resurfacing works.

The unit also said the amount paid to consultant Chris Pullicino to assist the council in evaluating tenders was above the threshold for direct orders.

Dr Sant had also accused the monitoring board of nepotism and lack of action.

The board said the complains were “unfounded, defamatory and intended to tarnish the reputation of innocent people”.

The monitoring unit's report and the local governance board's decision can be read in the pdf links below.