Updated 1210
Paola health centre contract to be scrapped as €2m in fines issued for delays
The government is terminating the contract with the Ergon-Technoline consortium for the Vincent Moran Health Centre after repeated delays, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela confirmed. Despite the centre being completed in 2021, it remains closed due to missing compliance certificates for lifts, electrical, and safety systems. The government imposed €2 million in penalties, but missed deadlines persist. Arbitration proceedings between the consortium and the government over payments and penalties are ongoing. The project has faced significant controversy since its inception, including land title issues and a tainted tender process. Abela acknowledged possible legal disputes from the termination but emphasised the government’s focus on patient care and finding new contractors to finish the project. (Times of Malta)
Santa Lucija FC warned after leasing car park to Christian Borg’s Sicily by Car
SportMalta has warned Santa Lucija Football Club for breaching an agreement by allowing its car park to be used by Sicily by Car, owned by Christian Borg, who faces serious criminal charges. Photos revealed the car park, intended for non-commercial use, filled with Sicily by Car vehicles. SportMalta demanded the cars’ immediate removal, threatening legal action. The Santa Lucija Local Council is investigating whether the club is permitted to commercialise the land. Residents expressed frustration, citing the area’s limited parking. The club’s vice-president, Kevin Attard, defended the decision as part of a sponsorship agreement, aimed at sustaining the club’s operations, and maintained the car park’s use remains unchanged. (MaltatodaY)
Msida to have the first zero-energy and carbon neutral public school in Malta
Education Minister Clifton Grima visited the new Msida Primary School, which the government claims will be Malta’s most environmentally-friendly public school. Opening this month, it is the country’s first carbon-neutral public school, co-financed by €24 million from the NextGenerationEU Programmes. The school has achieved an A+ energy classification with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of -9, setting new environmental standards for educational facilities. Sustainable features include insulated walls, rainwater recycling, and near-zero energy design. The school has 40 classrooms, a childcare center, a public library, and a 300-person hall, all accessible to the local community. The project also includes a new complex for Msida Sea Scouts and parking for 180 vehicles. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Judge orders former MP Azzopardi to remove posts on Yorgen Fenech
A judge has ordered Jason Azzopardi to delete Facebook posts about Yorgen Fenech, accused of involvement in journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. During a pre-trial hearing, Justice Edwina Grima warned that public comments could undermine the trial. Fenech’s defence argued the posts risked influencing the jury. Azzopardi admitted posting them but said he hadn’t been formally notified of a related court filing. Fenech’s legal team argued that the posts risked influencing the jury ahead of the trial. (Times of Malta)
Explosives team sent to Birkirkara council after Mayor receives threats
An explosives team was dispatched to Birkirkara on Thursday evening after newly elected mayor Desirei Grech reported an escalation in threats and harassment directed at her. In a Facebook post, Grech explained that she contacted the police and bomb disposal unit following a surge in “various threats and harassment.” She emphasized the need to take necessary precautions and vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible. “I strongly denounce any attempts to force me to quit or prevent me from working for the benefit of Birkirkara,” she stated.
Malta among European states donating Mpox vaccines to African countries
Malta has joined several European countries in supporting the European Commission’s ‘Team Europe’ initiative, aimed at helping Africa curb the spread of the MPOX disease, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday. The Ministry noted that on August 14th, the WHO Director-General declared the MPOX (Clade I) outbreak a global public health emergency. This followed the Africa CDC’s earlier declaration of MPOX as a continental security public health emergency. Government said together European countries will be donating around half a million vaccines, with the HERA Director General Laurent Muschel arriving at the city of Kinshasa in Kongo to deliver the first consignment of vaccines against Mpox. (Maltatoday)
