All projects falling under the EcoGozo programme within the Ministry for Gozo “experienced long delays”, the National Audit Office (NAO) has said in its annual report on the public accounts for 2014.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) analysed the NAO findings related to the Ministry for Gozo, in particular the lack of proper checks and balances and the non-observance of public procurement rules. The report said that the segregation of duties was absent and independent verifications were not conducted on the quality of some of the material supplied for the projects.

Performance guarantees were expired or overlooked, and no insurance policies were found

The Auditor General noted instances where the architect responsible to issue tenders acted also as project supervisor and project leader and then certified his own supervision. “This hinders transparency and increases the risk of abuse,” the NAO said.

“Performance guarantees were expired or overlooked, no copies of insurance policies regarding projects were found and limited verification was done of the quality and quantity of materials used in projects,” the Audit Office said. No tests were requested or carried out on works relating to civil works at Marsalforn, as well as on the supply and laying of tarmac next to the Child Development Centre in Victoria.

The €1.4 million tender for the Child Development Centre was signed on the eve of the 2013 election. According to the contract, works were expected to be finalised by September 2014. A year later, the NAO found that the project was not yet commissioned because, according to the ministry, the provision of electricity by Enemalta was still pending.

Such lack of provision of connection services required from other government entities was one of the main reasons for delays. The other source identified by the NAO was the issuing of tenders prior to having obtained the required Mepa permits. These situations could easily trigger variations to the original tender, if not total disbandment.

One such tender was issued for landscaping and maintenance works at Ta’ Isopu, limits of Nadur, valued at €38,345. The letter of acceptance was issued on October 27, 2014 while the target date for Mepa approval was set for December 15, 2014. Moreover, the tender conditions stated that works were to be finalised by October 31, 2014 at the latest.