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2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 NOVEMBER 2023 2 CLAIRVOYANT Mr TOURE a Marabout clairvoyant medium healer and Exorcist with an exceptional gift. Specialising in disenchantment, voodoo protection against dangers, couple problems return of a loved one, impotence and sexual issues whatever the nature. Court cases. Tel: +35677484511 VACANCY Unit Energy LTD of Mosta require a part-time assistant electrician on renewable energy systems. The position is on casual basis. Send your CV by email on: unitenergyltd@gmail.com or for further information call on 27556650. NICOLE MEILAK LABOUR minister Clayton Bartolo, who sits on the public accounts committee, was caught passing on a rough draft of his questions to economist Gordon Cordina ahead of him testifying in front of the com- mittee. At the end of the committee meeting on Tuesday, PAC chairman Darren Carrabott asked the witness whether he received any questions in advance. Cordina said that he had received an SMS and an attached document with a list of questions from Clayton Bartolo. The witness said the questions were indicative of what was asked in Tuesday's ses- sion. Carabott asked that the text message and attach- ments with the questions for Tuesday's sessions be exhibited to the committee. Tuesday's public accounts committee meeting fo- cused on a 2011 study analysing the use of gasoil, gas and heavy fuel oil, conducted by economist Gor- don Cordina. Cordina, who is also chairman of Bank of Valletta, explained that Enemalta is a direct client of his con- sultancy firm E-Cubed. In 2011, Enemalta gave Cordina a brief to look at the different choices the Maltese government had at hand to to power a new energy station. The study involved an options analysis of the financial costs of operating the power station with different types of fuel. Cordina said he compared the expenses of using heavy fuel oil compared to those of using gasoil and to the cost of converting the power station to use LNG. The study concluded that heavy fuel oil was ideal in the short-term, given that it was slightly cheaper than LNG. However, Cordina said he had also rec- ommended that the government consider develop- ing infrastructure for LNG when it becomes feasible to do so. "That was the global tendency back then," Cordina said on the use of heavy fuel oil. "In the same way that now, the global tendency is to build for renew- ables." Cordina said the study found that using LNG would be 6.3% more expensive than using heavy fu- el oil when you take into account the financial and economic expenses of the two. But when account for the financial expenses only, the study found that the change to gas would be 23% more expensive than using heavy fuel oil. Speaking generally about electricity, Carabott said there are vulnerabilities in different areas of the lo- cal electricity supply that gives Malta a competitive disadvantage. "We can never be competitive. Our competitive- ness is sensitive to energy. That's why it's always such a sensitive element. That's why it's important that, int he context of this disadvantage, we plan to lower these factors or remove them entirely. Keep energy prices low, or at least keep them stable." Cordina said businesses enjoy being able to plan their energy costs in advance and plan out their business strategy in Malta. He added that electricity affects the production of many goods and services produced by consumers. Public Accounts Committee Labour minister gives witness abridged questions in advance Gordon Cordina (left) said that he had received an SMS and a list of questions from minister Clayton Bartolo (right) INFRASTRUCTURE Malta announced on Tuesday the closure of the tender call pro- cess for the Msida Creek pro- ject. The bidding process con- cluded on Tuesday with the submission of three proposals to undertake the infrastruc- tural project. The submissions were made by EPE JV who made a bid of €34,700,007.77, Shining Star Infrastructure and Construc- tion Co. Ltd who made a bid of €49,749,766.90 and RM Construction Ltd who made a bid of €40,798,652.99. "This positive response is perceived as a vote of confi- dence in Malta's commitment to improve the quality, effi- ciency, safety and sustainabil- ity of Malta's infrastructure. It also aims to provide the nec- essary capacity to overcome existing challenges and meet future requirements," the in- frastructure agency said. Infrastructure Malta said the adjudication process is set to commence immediate- ly, marking the next phase in determining the most suitable partner for this major project. "This meticulous evaluation process will ensure that the selected bidder aligns seam- lessly with our vision for the Msida Creek project and pos- sesses the expertise necessary to deliver high standard out- puts," it said. Msida Creek project The new junction will see a new 200-metre-long bidirec- tional flyover directly linking Triq il-Marina with Triq Mik- iel Anton Vassalli. The project also foresees a new 2,000sq.m public square near the Msida church. The controversial project was first proposed in 2019 but plans were substantially revamped in 2022 to allocate more public spaces including a 2,200sq.m public square in front of the church and a wa- ter canal. Environmentalists had welcomed the increase in public spaces but objected to the flyover as it still pri- oritised car traffic over other modes of travel. Msida creek project attracts three bidders