Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi has so far failed to produce receipts of payments to his financial advisers Nexia BT for the setting up of a trust in New Zealand and a trading company in Panama last year.
The Times of Malta last Tuesday asked Dr Mizzi to say whether he had paid Nexia BT for the services provided and to furnish VAT receipts of the payments made. So far, Dr Mizzi has failed to reply to the requests despite various reminders.
However, he did tell The Malta Independent in an interview that he had paid for the services rendered, insisting they were private transactions.
Nexia BT, which provided the services to both Dr Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Keith Schembri, for the setting up of their offshore companies and trusts, have been the recipients of various contracts for government entities since Labour’s return to power. These include direct orders by the Office of the Prime Minister and Dr Mizzi’s ministry as well as entities within their portfolio.
Research conducted by this newspaper shows that Nexia BT is in fact offering services to the government ranging from auditing work on behalf of various State entities to advice and consultancy.
The company is receiving about €4,000 a month to help the Office of the Prime Minister in preparatory work relating to national projects. It had also been tasked to handle some of the Commonwealth summit preparations.
Dr Mizzi’s ministry engaged Nexia BT on various jobs including the valuation of oil storage facilities, Malta Oil Bunkering (MOBC), prior to negotiations and a deal with an American company for the exclusive use of its facilities. The deal was concluded without a call for tenders.
Speaking on TVM yesterday, Dr Mizzi said he had turned to Nexia BT for advice on how to set up a financial vehicle to take care of his family’s assets following a conversation with Mr Schembri.
Mr Schembri said the financial set up overseas was needed due to his company’s various business interests abroad.
So far, he has refrained from naming his trust and the Panama-based trading company.
Mr Schembri owns Kasco Group of companies but resigned from serving as director upon joining the Prime Minister’s Office. The group’s auditors are Nexia BT.