The Gozo Ministry issued some 32 direct orders for works at the Ċittadella in Gozo even though it was mostly using EU funds for the project.
The direct orders, to the tune of almost €1.8 million, are raising eyebrows, sources close to the National Audit Office told the Times of Malta, as questions are being asked on whether there was need for so many direct orders instead of the issue of proper tenders following strict public procurement rules.
Information submitted in Parliament recently shows that the number of direct orders awarded directly by the Gozo Ministry, particularly in 2014 and 2015, surpassed the number of works given out through proper tender procedures.
In some instances the value of the direct orders ran into hundreds of thousands of euros. The largest direct order was given to the architects of the project – Martin Xuereb & Associates – paid over €700,000 for their services between 2010 and 2016.
Road Construction Ltd – Gozo’s main building contractor who had already won almost €4 million in contracts related to the project – received €373,000 in direct orders. The value of other direct orders was also considerable and hovered around the €100,000 mark for works including restoration of certain areas, metal and wood work and the provision of electrical services.
In the disbursement of EU funds, the European Commission imposes strict rules on how public money is spent and officials conduct regular reviews and audits on actual projects.
Asked to explain the high number of direct orders and whether these followed public procurement rules, a spokeswoman for the Ministry for European Affairs said that this was allowed under European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) rules.
“ERDF rules follow the national public procurement rules. Therefore, there may be specific situations where direct orders in line with the national public procurement rules may have to be resorted to,” she said.
Asked whether any EU funds related the project have been withheld by the European Commission, the ministry said that no funds have been withheld so far.
The Ċittadella project, which gave a much needed uplift of one of Gozo’s major historical attractions, was mostly funded by EU cash and had to be completed by June 2015.
However, the project was hit by several delays, with the project only being completed in 2016.
The project cost €14.8 million.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com