The opposition yesterday demanded in parliament a detailed explanation from the government over how the Maltapost chief executive had been removed so soon after the company was privatised.

The subject was raised during question time by opposition finance spokesman Leo Brincat, who asked Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici to confirm reports that the chief executive, Bob Macgregor, had resigned.

Prof. Bonnici said his information was that there may be changes in Maltapost in the context of the changes needed to the structure of the company to improve its services. He was not informed that Mr Macgregor had resigned.

Mr Brincat asked the minister to confirm that a statement on this matter had already been issued by Maltapost.

Prof. Bonnici said he was not informed about the statement.

Mr Brincat asked the minister to explain how this situation could have developed so soon after Maltapost was privatised and a matter of days after the House debated a motion which criticised the sale of shares and the management agreement reached by the government with Transend Ltd of New Zealand.

Prof Bonnici said Maltapost was at the beginning of a restructuring process and was setting plans on how it could benefit from the involvement of Transend so that it could become more efficient and exploit new markets abroad. There were various phases for this development and there could also be personal reasons which led to a change of posts in line with the company`s developments.

He could only say that the board had met and had considered new markets and changes such as that of the chief executive as it entered into a phase which was more outward looking and did not focus just on the domestic situation.

Prof Bonnici said the opposition was needlessly dramatising the situation. He could mention how he had, for various reasons, dismissed the chief executive of Malta Drydocks, appointed at the time of the Labour government. The reasons were so valid that the chief executive had not taken action after his contract was terminated. He could give much more detail but no one would benefit from this.

The Maltapost board felt there should be another chief executive for the next phase of its development so that it could better face the challenges of the future.

Mr Brincat said the situation at Maltapost had nothing to do with that at Malta Drydocks. The Maltapost board had removed a chief executive appointed in terms of the management agreement by a foreign partner very early after it was privatised. A full explanation was necessary, especially as the minister had implicated personal reasons. Could there have been reasons which went against the company`s interests?

Prof Bonnici said such decisions were based on various reasons. Maltapost`s purpose was to improve its operations, and should Mr Brincat submit a written question, he would see if the board could give a more concrete reply.