Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has written to Commissioner of Police John Rizzo asking him to investigate allegations raised by opposition whip Joe Mizzi during Tuesday’s adjournment, with regard to the destruction of Mercaptan gas by Enemalta in 2009.

Inquiry report said the case emanated from management weaknesses...

Mr Mizzi alleged the minister was protecting engineer Mario Magri, the person deemed responsible for destroying the hazardous chemical waste in violation of the law.

Earlier this month, the Finance Ministry said an inquiry report showed ministers were not told about what had been going on.

It pointed out that the minister had ordered an independent inquiry into the case. In 2009, Mr Fenech was not responsible for Enemalta; the previous minister (Austin Gatt) was also not informed of what had happened.

In the inquiry report, Executive Chairman Louis Giordmaina stated the case emanated from management weaknesses. On Tuesday, Mr Mizzi repeated his call that the minister should resign, stressing that Enemalta’s management was the minister’s responsibility.

He also accused the minister of protecting Mr Magri, as not only was action not taken against him, but he was made responsible for the Regulatory Affairs section.

Mr Mizzi said the report was a cover-up. There was a serious breach of the law and no action was taken. The responsible person was very familiar with a fireworks factory where the chemical was unsafely stored. Was any money involved? The tanks which were used to get rid of the chemical in Benghajsa were sold. Who took the money?

This person also worked with a private company and it was he who chose machinery for Enemalta from the same company he worked for. This was known by Enemalta, but no action was taken. Other similar cases were happening, such as in Ta’ Barkat, where authorities were closing one eye.

For two whole years, one of the big trucks was being driven without a licence. Authorities who were duty bound to check against breaches of the law were themselves breaking it.

Mr Mizzi said there were also financial abuses and he would be writing to the House Public Accounts Committee to follow the case. He said corruption was found in all sectors and there was always someone who protected insiders.