Since August last year the National Audit Office has received 14 requests for investigations, which is almost four times the yearly average, the Times of Malta can reveal.

The office, which reports to Parliament, has been tasked with a series of high profile audit probes, including the manner in which the government acquired the Café Premier for €4.2 million, an investigation into government’s emphyteutical agreement with the General Workers’ Union and an investigation into the expropriation related to the Gaffarena case.

Another investigation relates to the expenditure that went into the construction of Mater Dei Hospital, since its inception, described by sources as “a mammoth of a task”. In replies to this newspaper’s questions as to whether the NAO would be heeding calls made for an investigation into the gas power station bidding process, the office indicated it had a full plate.

Sources said the office is short on resources.

On average, the NAO carries out between three and four audit investigations a year. Although most investigations are public knowledge, the NAO does carry out probes of its own accord and is sometimes tasked to investigate matters in a confidential manner. However, all findings are made public when the NAO submits its reports to Parliament.

Salient NAO investigations

August 2014 – Government’s acquisition of Café Premier.
August 2014 – Investigation of encroachments issued between December 2012 and March 2013.
January 2015 – Analysis of Enemalta’s hedging activity during 2014.
February 2015 – Investigation of government’s emphyteutical agreement with the GWU.
June 2015 – Investigation of expropriation of property in Old Mint Street, Valletta (the Gaffarena case).
June 2015 – Investigation of expenditure on Mater Dei construction.
June 2015 – A comparison of crude oil prices and electricity tariffs.
June 2015 – Investigation of the government’s expropriation of various properties.

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