Public utilities billing company CEO John Attard, who was appointed last May, resigned shortly after being placed on long leave, the Times of Malta has learnt.
The decision to place him on long leave was made by the Office of the Prime Minister, sources said.
Mr Attard demanded questions to be sent in writing when contacted on Thursday. “I am in a meeting,” he said curtly when asked whether he still occupied the post of CEO. When pressed for a reply, he said he could not answer and asked for questions to be sent in writing.
At the time of writing he had not replied to questions sent to him via SMS and did not call back, as he said he would.
Longest serving CEO was the late Wilfred Borg
A spokeswoman for Energy Minister Joe Mizzi, who is politically responsible for ARMS Ltd, at first would not reply to questions on the matter, saying only he was CEO.
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However, soon Times of Malta contacted Mr Attard and a reminder about the questions was sent to the ministry, the spokeswoman replied that “Mr Attard submitted his resignation letter”.
No reasons were given for his decision, however, Energy Ministry sources said it could be connected to a decision Mr Attard made at the utilities company.
Mr Mizzi said in Parliament when answering a question by Nationalist MP David Agius seven chief executive officers had been appointed at the billing company since Labour was returned to power in 2013.
The longest serving was the late Wilfred Borg who had been suspended by then energy minister Konrad Mizzi who accused him of giving incorrect information to a government department. Mr Borg had refused to resign and had initiated legal procedures against the government.
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He was followed by Henry Attard, interim CEO for three months, James Davies (nine months), Carmen Ciantar (two years), who then left to be appointed by Minister Chris Fearne as CEO of the Foundation for Medical Services, David Magro (one year), Lawrence Cauchi (six months) and Mr Attard.