Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537750
ILENIA DEBONO Idebono@mediatoday.com.mt 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 JULY 2025 NEWS Delia slams Kurt Buhagiar reinstatement to Lands Authority despite Sofia criminal charges ADRIAN Delia has slammed Kurt Buhagiar's reinstatement to the Lands Authority despite him being accused of Jean Paul Sofia's death. Interviewed on TVM's Xtra hosted by Saviour Balzan, the Nationalist Party leadership candidate condemned Prime Minister Robert Abela's "weak excuse" for reinstating Buhagiar. Abela had said Buhagiar had previously been on paid suspen- sion and is now "simply fulfilling his job responsibilities", rather than getting paid without re- porting to work. On the case of permanent secretary Ronald Mizzi, who was also reinstated after being indicted in connection to the Vitals hospital scandal in July 2024, Delia said persons facing criminal proceedings should not return to their role until pro- ceedings are over. Delia refused to comment di- rectly about the Vitals inquiry saying he wanted to be cautious in not imposing what he believes on the ongoing process, as this could have "dire consequences." Delia had taken government to court over the hospitals, with a judge eventually annulling the deal. Following the sanctioning of Charles Polidano's illegal Mon- tekristo Estate, which includes a zoo and equestrian park, built over 45,000sq.m of agricultural land, Delia refused to comment directly, saying "has not studied the case enough" to give a prop- er answer. Instead, he said that he does not agree with sanc- tioning something illegal after the illegalities occur and are ex- panded. On the Manoel Island case, which he said he knows more about, the PN leadership can- didate contestant said a con- tract between government and a company must be respected. "If the company breached the contract, it must pay. If the gov- ernment breached the contract, it must pay," Delia said. He ac- cused the government of playing the populist card on the case, stating the government was one of U-turns. Delia said he be- lieves it would be best if Manoel Island became a park. Delia's plans for the PN Delia was ambiguous as to what role he wished Alex Borg to play if he [Delia] beat him in the election. "I've always believed in Alex Borg, I still believe in him, he has a bright future in the party," he said. On what he would do should he lose the leadership race, De- lia said he would continue work- ing for and helping the party as he had "proven for the past five years." He also pointed out that he was not bothered by Borg con- testing the leadership race, albe- it he is faring better than him in surveys. He also said friction between the two campaigns is of a com- petitive nature, and present in all competition. Delia also said it is advantageous for the party that both candidates are friends as the party will emerge strong- er after the election is over. On European Parliament Pres- ident Roberta Metsola, who was widely touted to take over from Bernard Grech, Delia said he would have advised her against making the move. He said that it would've been "an act of irresponsibility" for Metsola to "abandon" her post to take the reins of the party, and would have advised her to not contest this election. Adrian Delia went on to say that it was not an easy decision to contest, not because of the way he was ousted the first-time around, but because of the du- ty the role holds. After Grech's resignation, Delia said he felt it was his responsibility to do so. On the party's problems, Delia said it still acts as if it is in gov- ernment, and must become a better Opposition. Adrian Delia (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) One-year old, in serious condition after falling into Gozo pool A boy aged one year and four months is in serious condition after finding difficulty swim- ming when falling into a private residence's pool. The police said the accident happened at around 7:30pm in Triq Ġnien Imrik at Xagħra, Gozo. Police officers and a medical team rushed to the site of the accident and found the boy who was unconscious. The boy was rushed to the Gozo General Hospital, and then flown to Mater Dei Hos- pital using a helicopter for fur- ther medical assistance. Duty magistrate Simone Grech has launched an inquiry, and police investigations are ongoing. Elderly man drowns while swimming at Hondoq Bay A 73-year-old man from Qala, Gozo died on Monday after drowning at Ħondoq Bay. Police said the accident hap- pened at around 6:30pm, with preliminary investigations showing he found difficult swimming. People in the vicin- ity dragged the man out of the sea and administered first aid at the site of the accident. He was rushed to the Gozo Gen- eral Hospital, but was certified dead moments later. Duty magistrate Simone Grech has launched an inquiry, and police investigations are ongoing.