The GWU building leased out to Arms Ltd.

The General Workers’ Union financial controller has insisted his position does not conflict with his roles as Transport Malta board secretary and government-appointed Arms Ltd director.

Earlier this year, both government entities decided to rent properties belonging to the GWU, which will be used as offices, even though cheaper options were available.

However, when contacted Robert Borg said: “I really don’t see any conflict of interest as I was not involved in the final decisions regarding the awarding of the tenders,” he said.

Robert Borg

“In the case of Transport Malta – of which I am board secretary – I declared my interest and left the meeting room when the decision was taken to award to contract (worth €490,000 a year) to the General Workers’ Union.” Meanwhile, Arms is to rent part of the Workers Memorial Building.

Mr Borg – an accountant by profession – has been working as the GWU’s financial controller for a number of years.

In May 2013, soon after Labour was returned to power, Mr Borg was appointed on the board of the Water Services Corporation, Arms Ltd and the Malta Statistics Authority. The government also appointed Mr Borg as board secretary of Transport Malta and the Port Workers Board.

According to information provided in Parliament following questions by Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina, the contract awarded by Transport Malta for the leasing of part of the A3 Towers in Marsa – a GWU property – has already been signed even though the building is still in shell form.

In order to be fit for Transport Malta’s needs, the GWU required a new permit from Mepa.

The permit was granted at the end of last month – after the lease contract between Transport Malta and the GWU had been signed.