An international architectural firm yesterday mistakenly unveiled advanced plans for a mega-construction project in Qala which officially is still being adjudicated by the government.
The Milan studio of Chapman Taylor, which has offices around the world, issued a press release stating it had been selected to design the 220,000-square-metre coastline construction development in Qala.
The development, which, according to the architectural firm, includes a disused quarry, will turn the area into an innovative mixed-use project comprising the construction of a cruise liner terminal, a contemporary yacht marina, tens of residential apartments and villas and a retail and leisure centre.
Contacted in Milan by this newspaper, a spokesman for the architectural studio admitted the announcement “is a big mistake” pointing out it was internal information that had been erroneously divulged.
This was an internal mistake which has now created a big mess
Asked whether it could mean that the Maltese government had already awarded the concession even though no public announcement had yet been made, the spokesman replied: “there is no concession yet as the adjudication process is still ongoing.”
When asked to explain how the firm already knew that the project had been selected once the adjudication process was still supposedly ongoing, the spokesman again said that “this was an internal mistake which has now created a big mess”.
He said the firm would only do the work if their clients – Kalamarine Developments Consortium – were awarded the project.
Last year, the government issued a formal request for proposals for the design, build and operation of a cruise liner terminal and berthing facilities and a yacht marina in Gozo. Only one submission – by Kalamarine – was received.
Despite the lack of submissions, the government still went ahead and, last October, said that the bid would be evaluated by an adjudication team from the Privatisation Unit. Since then, no further announcements were made on the progress of the bid.
Times of Malta had asked the Gozo Ministry for details on the members forming the consortium but the request was turned down.
Contacted yesterday, a spokesman for Kalamarine did not wish to comment about the latest developments and said questions should be sent to the government.
Asked to give details on the members of the consortium, the spokesman declined and said he was not authorised to give such information.
Questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister about the matter remained unanswered at the time of writing.
The Office of the Prime Minister was asked to say how the firm was able to announce the project when the evaluation and adjudication process was still ongoing.
This newspaper is informed that one of the main shareholders in the consortium is Gozitan construction firm Gatt Construction Ltd, owners of one of the quarries included in the project.