The Justice and Culture Ministry issued 223 direct orders in the last six months of 2017, costing taxpayers millions of euros, the Times of Malta is informed.
According to public procurement rules, direct orders should be used only in exceptional cases and as a last resort.
However, various departments within Owen Bonnici’s ministry have issued direct contracts for all kinds of services.
In one instance, a young notary, who in the last electoral campaign took part in a promotional video for Dr Bonnici, was given a €20,000 contract as a press officer two months after the election.
Read: Ministry issued €50,000 direct order to Labour’s One TV
Bernice Cassar, from Għaxaq, who in the campaign promo describes Dr Bonnici as “a humble man and an asset for the Labour Party”, was put on the ministry’s payroll without any call.
The largest direct order was handed to entertainer and TV presenter Ray Calleja. Approved by the Finance Ministry due to its substantial value, Mr Calleja is to provide cultural management for the Arts Council for €126,000.
The largest, at €126,000, was given to presenter Ray Calleja
Lou Bondi, another former TV presenter and ex-chairman of Radio 101, has been given a government contract as a consultant to the Arts Council worth €54,000, while choreographer Felix Busuttil got a €10,000 deal as communications assistant.
The biggest provision of direct contracts in Dr Bonnici’s ministry in 2017’s last semester was to the Valletta 2018 Foundation under the chairmanship of Labour’s One TV boss, Jason Micallef.
Apart from the procurement of cultural companies and individuals to perform at specific events, Mr Micallef’s office has also used direct orders to employ almost all of its staff.
Direct orders were issued for the hiring of administrators, personal assistants, press officers, procurement officers, corporate business coordinators and receptionists.
Other tasks unrelated to art were also distributed through direct orders.
They included the provision of promotional material, with a €70,000 direct order to Big Exhibits Ltd, and works connected to lighting and stage mounting to RVC lighting and TEC Limited.
The latter companies were responsible for all the facilities provided during Labour’s mass events during the last two electoral campaigns.
Some of the direct orders issued by the Justice Ministry
| Reason | Beneficiary | Value |
| Accommodation for artists for Baroque Festival | Alberta Group | €14,600 |
| Project Manager Council for south | Matthew Bongailas | €10,000 |
| Security Services Council for south | Signal 8 Security | €18,560 |
| PR services for MICAS | Joseph Fountain | €16,000 |
| Development of Malta’s Cultural Policy | Toni Attard | €51,000 |
| Cultural Coordinator | Willie Mangion | €20,232 |
| Cultural Project Manager | Ray Calleja | €126,000 |
| Service of Communications Assistant | Felix Busuttil | €9,360 |
| Consultancy services | Lou Bondi | €54,000 |
| Conductor for Malta Philharmonic Orchestra | Harmonique Events | €7,000 |
| Artistic projection for Valletta 2018 | Lava Graphics | €40,000 |
| Press Officer Valletta 2018 | Sarah Strijbosch Ali | €41,000 |
| Provision of yachts, dinghies and flares – Valletta 2018 | Surfside Charter | €20,661 |
| Artistic performance Valletta 2018 | La Fura dels Baus | €103,000 |
| Recording Opening Ceremony Valletta 2018 | Elton Zarb | €16,483 |
| Promotional material opening Valletta 2018 | Big Exhibits | €69,670 |
| Equipment rental Valletta 2018 opening ceremony | RVC Event Lighting | €50,000 |