A government entity set up under the political remit of Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi would not give any details on projects it is working on, saying that “may be contrary to public interest”.
Projects Plus Ltd also refused to give details on the remuneration package of its CEO, James Camenzuli.
A request under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain information on Mr Camenzuli’s remuneration package was turned down by Projects Plus on grounds that this was commercially sensitive.
The Times of Malta has asked the Data Protection Commissioner to look into the decision.
Mr Camenzuli, an engineer by profession, used to work with a pharmaceuticals company until 2013. Soon after Labour was returned to power, Dr Mizzi appointed him chairman of the Malta Resources Authority and CEO of the Foundation for Medical Services. He has since resigned from both positions.
After Dr Mizzi’s lost his health portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle 2016 in the wake of the Panama Papers, he recruited Mr Camenzuli at Projects Plus soon after it was registered.
Staff members were recruited directly through Jobsplus
The new entity, set up as a subsidiary of Projects Malta Ltd, which had handled the controversial contract signed with Vitals Global Healthcare, originally only had Mr Camenzuli on its books but ended up with 15 employees within a year.
No public calls are known to have been made for the engagement of such personnel. In most cases, the staff members were recruited directly through Jobsplus, weeks after they listed their name on the third part of the unemployment register.
This is open to people already gainfully occupied but are seeking a career change if a vacancy arises.
Projects Plus was asked by this newspaper to give details on the place of residence of the new employees, whose salaries reportedly range between €13,000 a year, for a driver, to a €50,000 package in the case of three project team leaders.
Some of the employees were recruited either on a person of trust basis or were redeployed from the public service, this newspaper was told.
According to its latest account statements, Projects Plus provides “support functions to Projects Malta Ltd in respect of project administration such as tender preparations, planning and reporting”.
It also manages “part of the government’s surgery waiting list”.
Dr Mizzi appointed Mr Camenzuli chairman of Projects Malta Ltd, the mother company of Projects Plus, a few months ago.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com