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maltatoday, Sunday, 29 March 2015 6 News MiriaM Dalli Gozo Minister Anton Refalo has defended the appointment of a three- member internal audit committee on a 'person of trust' basis, insisting that the members were professionals and the basis of their appointment would not impede them from flagging any shortcomings. Tony Coleiro, Laurie Apap and Captain Mario Grech were appoint- ed by the minister to an internal au- dit committee for the Gozo Channel company. According to information tabled in parliament by Refalo, in reply to a question by PN MP Jason Azzop- ardi, it transpired that two of them work on the committee for 30 hours per week, and the other for 15 hours every week. Their salary is paid pro rata and they also receive a yearly €500 mobile allowance. Questions were raised on the ad- equacy of an audit committee that was not independent of the company being scrutinised. Independent audit committees are an important pre- requisite to ensure transparency and accountability. Replying to questions raised by MaltaToday, a spokesperson for the Gozo Minister said the men's con- tracts were "according to the exigen- cies of the service". The internal audit committee ex- amines, evaluates and reports on the adequacy of internal controls as a contribution to the proper, eco- nomic, efficient and effective use of resources, including the monitor ticketing, overtime and procurement procedures, the spokesperson said. "The unit reports to the minister, chairman and CEo by giving recom- mendations on the company's op- erations and processes. The trust of the minister lies in the fact that these persons are professionals and this trust does not impede them from performing their duties to ensure that the company's risk management and internal controls are in place," the spokesperson added. It was explained that their work, which is at "arm's length from the ministry and the company", ensures a system of checks and balances, identifying shortfalls and recom- mending actions thereon. "The unit has already contributed to the reduction of the company's deficit from €1.6 million in 2012 to a balance of €59,000 in 2014," the spokesperson added. Jason Azzopardi said a position of trust in such a sensitive post was worrying: "What comfort can you have that someone is going to blow the whistle?" he remarked. Azzopardi also raised questions on the monies being forked out by the Gozo Ministry to finance the salaries of individuals appointed on a person of trust basis. The same parliamentary question revealed that a total of 14 individuals at the Gozo Ministry were employed on such a basis. The 14 individuals do not form part of Refalo's private secretariat. "These private appointments are costing taxpayers at least €250,000 a year," Azzopardi said, adding that over a period of five years the ex- penditure on these salaries would total at least €1,250,000. 'Police investigations should go CONTiNUED FrOM PaGE 1 At his news conference yesterday, Said called on the police to extend their investigation into free con- struction works to Gozitan constitu- ents beyond 9 March, 2013, when the general elections were held, re- turning Labour to power. Joe Cauchi, from Gharb, who has been given protection under the Whistleblowers Act, refers in his 20 May, 2014, email to some of the many works carried out for what he describes as 'works for votes' in Gozo. They included a reservoir in Nadur, a cellar in Victoria, cement works for an individual in Gharb, a road in Fontana carried out on the day of the local election, and a pri- vate car park. Cauchi, who is represented by law- yer Robert Abela, says that he met Said in his office and also claimed in his email that PN leader Simon Bu- suttil also knew of what had been go- ing on, as Cauchi had by coincidence met Busuttil in the lift and told him. The email is being published in its entirety (see pages 6,7). Cauchi also refers to the husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono's husband, Tony. Cauchi tells Said: "Please, this work was carried out for votes." And he continues, "…if you have any doubt that these works have been carried out I can provide you with copious photographic evidence of this." MaltaToday has reported in pre- vious editions the scam which in- volved invoicing the Gozo ministry, where Anthony Debono, the minis- ter's husband, had a position of re- sponsibility. Reacting to Cauchi's email when contacted by MaltaToday, Chris Said said that what the email said was consistent with what he had al- ready stated. "First of all I would like to em- phasize that Cauchi was asking for my intervention for monies he was owed by third parties. The Gozi- tan contractor had complained and talked to me about works for Gharb mayor David Apap. I had spoken to the Mayor and he assured me that the works were commissioned by the Gozo ministry. "I informed the contractor of the situation and I advised him to seek legal advice. "Regarding the other matters which the contractor raised with me, he told me that he had raised the matter with the Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo and I (Chris Said) need not worry about this. "At no point was there a need for me to inform the police authorities because I had no proof of any abuse. But I reiterate that if the police are to investigate they should do so thor- oughly and continue their investiga- tions to beyond March 2013. " Said told MaltaToday that he had met Cauchi after the emails had been sent. Asked about Cauchi's claim that Cauchi had raised the issue with him, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo said that after the contractor spoke to him, he lost no time to ask that the claims be looked into and as- certained. "That was in November and the case today is in the hands of the police and may lead to the first whistleblower case according to the Refalo defends appointment of audit committee on 'person of trust' basis MOSTA – situated in a quaint location, a large house of character with lots of natural light, set on two floors with high ceilings, central courtyard, spacious garage, entrance hall, kitchen, living room, laundry room and spare toilet at ground floor level. At first floor level one finds three large double-bedrooms (circa 5.6m x 4m per bedroom), en-suite bathroom, separate main bathroom and study. This property is complemented by a second courtyard with four additional large rooms which can be converted into an extension to this already spacious property or a separate flatlet. - €435,000 freehold. Call on 99434606, no agents please. Download the MaltaToday App now Anton Refalo: Contracts are according to the exigencies of the service Former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono with husband Anthony