Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529157
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Business lobbies concerned over Abela's disregard for ministers' ethical breaches ADPD accuses government of ignoring its own transport masterplan TWO business lobby groups have expressed deep concern over Prime Minister Robert Ab- ela's handling of the recent eth- ics breach involving two of his ministers. In separate statements, the Malta Employers' Association (MEA) said the situation was a "true slap in the face to gov- ernance and accountability" and the Malta Chamber noted a "disturbing trend of disregard for standards". A Standards Commissioner report released on Thursday found that ministers Clayton Bartolo and Clint Camilleri had abused their power and breached ethics. The ministers had arranged for Bartolo's then-girlfriend and now-wife, Amanda Muscat, to be employed as a policy consult- ant at Camilleri's Gozo Minis- try. She was neither qualified for the job and did not perform the functions expected of her as a consultant. Muscat, in fact, continued serving as Bartolo's private secretary, a job not com- mensurate with the heftier pay packet she received as a consult- ant. Bartolo has since made an apology, while Camilleri insisted he did nothing wrong. The Malta Chamber expressed alarm at what it described as a "disturbing trend of leniency and disregard for standards" in government. The Chamber pointed out that a similar scandal in late 2021 involving then-minister Justyne Caruana had resulted in her resignation. "In every ministry and pub- lic entity, it is crucial to ensure that appointments and public contracts are awarded based on merit, qualifications, and a genuine commitment to public service, not personal connec- tions," The Malta Chamber em- phasised. The MEA went further, sug- gesting that the incident was not isolated: "These and many other non-productive jobs given in the public sector are one reason why there is a shortage of employees in the private sector that is being addressed through the employ- ment of foreign workers." Both organisations expressed dismay at Prime Minister Abe- la's decision to accept an apolo- gy as sufficient punishment for the ministers involved. The MEA warned that this re- sponse sent a clear message that "certain people in high places can break regulations without any consequence for their ac- tions." The Malta Employers' Association and the Chamber of Commerce express concern over Prime Minister's attitude towards ministers who breached ethics: 'A disturbing trend of disregard for standards' Msida Creek project ignores transport masterplan and strategy, the Green Party says Two business lobby groups have expressed deep concern over Prime Minister Robert Abela's handling of the recent ethics breach involving two of his ministers GOVERNMENT has disregarded its own transport masterplan and strategy in push- ing forward with the controversial Msida Creek project, ADPD said. ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci said on Saturday the project prioritises cars use over residents' quality of life and ig- nores alternative forms of transport. The €38.5 million Msida Creek project, which includes the construction of a fly- over and is set to be completed by 2027, has faced opposition from residents and the Msida local council. "When you look at the 2025 Transport Masterplan and the 2050 strategy, you realise that on paper there are many pos- itive proposals, but very few of these have materialised," Gauci said. "The most im- portant points being ignored are those concerning the need to provide alterna- tive means of transport so as to reduce car use. In fact, the complete opposite is happening." Ralph Cassar, ADPD secretary general, said the country needed a serious, con- sistent government "that knows what it's doing". "We do not need a government that is led by the few who want their per- sonal interests prioritised over the com- mon good," he said. ADPD highlighted that the average dis- tance travelled in Malta is just 5.5km, criticising the government for continuing to encourage congestion and pollution in- stead of creating people-friendly streets. Infrastructure Malta has defended the Msida project, stating that it will alleviate traffic congestion in the area and create more public spaces. A flyover will ena- ble the removal of the traffic lights at the bottom of Regional Road. IM's plans in- clude a new square in front of the church and a 300m-long canal to relieve flooding whenever it rains. ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci (Left) and ADPD Secretary General Ralph Cassar (Right) (Photo: ADPD)