Update 1145
Government says European Commission approves Malta update on energy plan
Malta’s draft update to the National Energy and Plan, initially introduced in 2019, has received positive feedback from the
European Commission. The Commission highlighted five key areas of progress in Malta, including energy security, decarbonising transport, Paris Agreement commitments, non-CO2 emissions, and research and innovation. The Commission provided recommendations for further improvement, and the final plan is expected to be presented in June 2024. Malta’s efforts in enhancing energy security through substantial investments and policies were acknowledged by the Commission.
‘We’re just going for numbers. That’s not how it should be’ – Identità CEO: Identità CEO Mark Mallia asserts that the issue with overpopulation lies not with foreign workers but with employers who bring in more workers than necessary, lacking the specific skills required. Mallia, a former army colonel, emphasises the need for a more strategic approach to recruitment, focusing on identifying specific skills crucial for the economy. He criticises the current trend of prioritising quantity over skill
relevance in hiring practices. Mallia acknowledges the necessity of recruiting foreign workers, given Malta’s growing economy, limited supply of local workers, and nearly nonexistent unemployment. He also highlights the importance of temping agencies in addressing this demand for labour.
Electric robots will soon be cleaning Malta’s streets and public places: A new fleet of 73 autonomous robots, primarily electric, is set to clean promenades and public spaces nationwide. The vehicles, including fully automated sweeper and scrubbing robots, street sweepers, rough terrain utility vehicles, and trucks, were launched on Monday. Operated by the Cleansing and Maintenance
Department, these vehicles will enhance street cleaning efforts starting in early January. The initiative, costing €7 million, with €5 million funded by the EU, aims to significantly boost street cleaning. The vehicles feature images of the environmental mascot Xummiemu.
Morning Briefing
NAO says Ministries bypassing procurement regulations
According to the National Audit Office, various government ministries and entities are not complying with public procurement regulations. The Auditor General’s 2022 annual report highlighted multiple shortcomings in the government’s financial controls. These deficiencies encompassed inadequate internal controls, non-compliance with procurement guidelines, and the absence of an audit trail and standardized operating procedures. The Building and Construction Authority emerged as a major violator, resorting to unapproved direct orders while lacking established procurement and payroll procedures. The NAO observed the authority’s practice of fragmenting direct orders below €10,000 into smaller amounts to circumvent procurement regulations. (Maltatoday)
Electric sweepers, robots in €7m cleansing campaign
Government has allocated over €7 million toward electronic equipment and a campaign aimed at transforming the cleaning of public areas. Of this amount, €5.6 million was directed toward electric sweepers and robots, while approximately €1.2 million was allocated to other vehicles. Ramon Deguara, the General Director for the Cleansing and Maintenance Directorate, highlighted that this equipment embodies cutting-edge technology and operates without causing pollution. He emphasized its capacity to facilitate more frequent cleaning in reduced timeframes, minimizing disruption for workers. (TVM)
Parliament approves bill allowing 16-year-old mayors
On Monday, during its final session before the Christmas break, Parliament approved multiple bills, including one that allows individuals aged 16 to 17 to serve as mayor or deputy mayor. The unanimous vote in the third reading cemented this change. Speaker Anglu Farrugia oversaw the parliamentary proceedings that resulted in the approval of legal amendments enabling young individuals in the 16-17 age range to hold these elected positions at the local level. (The Malta Independent)
