The Times follows up on the NAO report about the Electrogas investigation and says that it could not confirm allegations that deal for the new power station had been struck with the Labour Party before the 2013 elections. The Auditor’s Office remarked that there were multiple similarities between the pre-election presentation and the eventual bid.
The Malta Independent also leads with a story from the NAO report which reveals that staff from Nexia BT were involved in two stages of the five-stage selection process in awarding the power station contract. Nexia BT’s managing partner Brian Tonna was the auditor of GEM Holdings Ltd., which formed part of the consortium that won the bid.
In-Nazzjon covers a radio interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that not only must Minister Konrad Mizzi resign, but the money that has been “stolen from Maltese and Gozitan families” in the Electrogas deal must be returned.
The Times says that JobsPlus has collected €2.5 million in fines between 2015 and 2017 from companies which failed meet to their quotas for employing people with disability. Companies of 20 persons or more are required to have a minimum 2 percent of their workforce composed of persons with a disability.
Another story in The Malta Independent reports a proposed rugby stadium in Paola has been flagged by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage for its location in an area of historical and archaeological value. The watchdog requested detailed plans of the 14,000 square metre facility.
L-Orizzont reports that the General Workers Union donated €1,220 to Kane Debattista’s family. The three-year-old is battling a rare disease and was recently admitted to hospital after respiratory complications.
L-Orizzont says that the government launched the first national strategy for cycling, prioritising the use of bicycles. One of the proposals is to reduce speed limits in special areas to favour cyclists. Another story in the paper quotes Vice Squad Inspector Joseph Busuttil who said that more people are reporting massage parlours that are being used for sexual activity.
In-Nazzjon says that Minister Konrad Mizzi failed, for a third time, to show up in court in a libel case he filed against PN MPs Simon Busuttil, Jason Azzopardi, and Beppe Fenech Adami.
Carrying the Minister’s reaction, L-Orizzont says that Mizzi was given permission not to attend a hearing in court on Thursday and the case was postponed to January.
