Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/510672
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2015 5 News MARTINA BORG NATIONALIST deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech Adami has insisted that reports published in PN organ In-Nazzjon on alleged irregularities involving Gozo min- ister Anton Refalo, provided the police with enough proof to start investigations.z Fenech Adami said that both the PN media and MaltaToday pub- lished addresses and photos of private construction works carried out on the Gozo ministry budget, that should be more than enough proof for the police to open inves- tigations. The allegations concern a govern- ment-financed concrete road pass- ing through a private field on Triq ir-Rabat, Nadur. Fenech Adami said that the po- lice commissioner should assure the public that investigations into the alleged illegalities were actually taking place, and that the evidence was not merely being left in posses- sion of those it implicates. "The [home affairs] minister him- self has free, unlimited access to any documentation, evidence and proof which could prove crucial to the in- vestigation of these serious allega- tions," Fenech Adami said, adding that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat also had the political responsibility to ensure that police investigations are not hindered or prejudiced. "Despite all the serious allega- tions made about Anton Refalo, he continues to carry out his duties as though nothing happened and he is one of the few people who has access to the necessary proof," he added. Fenech Adami urged the police to state whether or not it was indeed investigating the case in question, and whether it had collected the evidence before any meddling had occurred. "Muscat should not continue to defend Refalo, especially since these serious allegations could even lead to criminal procedures," he said, referring to the fact that the Labour government has so far refuted the claims and called on the PN to file a police report. The PN also said that other private works were carried in a Marsalforn restaurant, fields in Ghasri, private residences in Triq il-Horg Kercem and in Wied tal-Ghezien in Xagh- ra, in a canvasser's private home on Xatt l-Ahmar, in Ghajnsielem, a Sanap il-Munxar farmhouse, two garages on St Dominic Street in Ra- bat, and numerous garages in Ta' Dbiegi, San Lawrenz. In a statement, the government said Fenech Adami was attack- ing the government minister for "handing over seven metres of con- crete to be used by farmers entering publicly-owned fields." The government said a declara- tion made by the farmers of the zone showed that the road had been built by the Nadur local council in 2002 when it was then under the mayorship of Nationalist MP Chris Said. It said the road had merely been repaired by the government. "As it had already declared when the Debono scandal was revealed, the government has no problems with police investigations of the works carried out under the current ad- ministration," the government said. "With his words today, Fenech Adami attacked Chris Said. Mean- while the leader of the Opposi- tion refuses to remember what the whistleblower said to him, and what he said himself during the notorious meeting where Busuttil had the details of the scandal in his possession and refused to take the necessary steps." 'Enough proof to investigate Gozo minister' – PN False contracts covered up Gozo works-for-votes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Police In- spector Ian Abdilla told Magis- trate Neville Camilleri how, during a meeting held on 9 March with the Gozo ministry's permanent secretary and other ministry of- ficials, investigating police officers were told that Joseph Cauchi, nick- named 'is-Sansun' had claimed to have carried out works at Anthony Debono's behest. Debono was a civil servant in the Gozo ministry, who headed the projects division. No calls for tenders had been pub- lished for these works, which the contractor claimed were carried out in private residences – giving rise to the works-for-votes ruse allegedly devised by Anthony Debono. The inspector explained that Cauchi had received authorisa- tion for the works by means of an invoice issued by Debono – as op- posed to the normal procedure of having invoices issued by Joseph Portelli, head of the Works Depart- ment. The contractor had told the police that he had started carrying out works for the Gozo ministry up to 25 years ago. Cauchi would offer contracts al- lowing the ministry to use his con- struction machinery and vehicles for a stipulated amount of time, as required. In addition, during the six-year period between 2006 and 2012, Cauchi continued to provide this service, in spite of the fact that no such contracts were issued, in- stead receiving payment through alternative arrangements. The police were informed by the whistleblower that Anthony Debo- no had commissioned the building of rooms in a quarry belonging to Sammy Camilleri, costing approxi- mately €9,000, laying of concrete for a five-a-side ground in Gharb for the local council, as well as con- structing a concrete platform at a cost of €13,000. Other jobs authorised by Debono included works in a restaurant, in- cluding the wine cellar of a restau- rant, works on the road leading to the Fontana fireworks factory and building several walls in Gharb. Cauchi had told police that, due to the fact that the works were not cov- ered by tender, he would not invoice directly but would be instructed on how to invoice by Debono. He said that, by way of example, were he to lay concrete in the construction of a road and the job would be worth €500, Debono would ask him to is- sue the invoice citing excavation works in surrounding roads, aggre- gating to almost the same total. After the 2013 general election, Cauchi had raised the issue of non- payment with Joseph Portelli, head of the Works Department, but Por- telli refused to settle the outstand- ing bills. Cauchi claimed that, on two oc- casions, Debono had handed him €10,000 in cash, however a balance of €30,000 remained outstanding. Several other documents were presented in court, including false invoices – the majority of which were undated but included the number of hours for which the con- tractor's vehicles were supposedly used. Some of the vehicles specified were not even in use at the time. Inspector Abdilla told the court that the police had seized several re- ceipts for the fictitious works from the Gozo Ministry in the course of their investigations, including some signed by Debono. The police de- scribed them as "the mirror image of the 23 remittance advices" which the contractor had presented. The police, together with Cauchi, had visited the places where the works had been carried out, after which the contractor made a state- ment explaining the background to the works which he had carried out at each place. The case continues on Tuesday. Beppe Fenech Adami – Muscat should not continue to defend Refalo 1. Gharb Football ground in January in 2006 2. 5-a-side pitch in the Gharb Primary school in May 2006 3. Platform for annual festa Wied Gulja, in Gharb 4. Roadworks at San Dimitri, Gharb 5. Concrete works to level the area in front of a converted farmhouse in Gharb and to enlarge a parking area 6. Excavation for a wall at a field in Gharb 7. Laying drainage services in a quarry belonging to Sammy Camilleri 8. Building of ramps behind Ta' Pinu Church, Gharb 9. Concrete flood defences in Zebbug 10. Several concrete pathways in Zebbug 11. Drainage works at l-Ghasri 12. Laying of large volumes of concrete in private property on Trejqet il-Harrub between Victoria and Fontana 13. Building of a concrete road in Victoria 14. Enlargement of a bridge and covering of a road with concrete at a farmhouse in Wied il-Lunzjata 15. Incomplete roadworks at Kercem school 16. Concrete works at Kercem 17. Laying of concrete at L-Ghadira ta' San Raflu 18. Laying of concrete overlooking Dwejra 19. Works including excavation works close to a farmhouse in Victoria 20. Construction of a 70m concrete lane in Tas-Sellum in Xaghra 21. Construction of a water reservoir in Qala Works-for-votes hitlist Anthony Debono with his wife, former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono