Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/521559
4 MIRIAM DALLI JURGEN BALZAN DEVLANDS Ltd director Martin Deguara and Tal-Maghtab Con- struction Ltd directors Dennis Baldacchino and Raymond Scib- erras have all denied any knowl- edge of weak concrete being used during the construction of the Accident and Emergency Depart- ment at Mater Dei Hospital. A damning report compiled by judge emeritus Philip Sciberras found that the "pervasive weak concrete found [within Block D1.1 and Block D1.3] is a result of intended fraudulent actions". The inquiry established that most concrete placed in col- umns was provided by Mixer Ltd, even if other suppliers, including Tal-Maghtab Construction Ltd, Blokrete Ltd and Devlands Ltd provided concrete and concrete- based materials to the site. "Therefore it cannot be ascer- tained with certainty that all concrete placed in the columns of areas D1.1 and D1.3 originated from one supplier," the board of inquiry reported. Repeated attempts to contact Mixer Ltd owner Bastjan Dalli proved futile; likewise Joseph Fenech of Blokrete Ltd. On their part, Devlands Ltd and Tal- Maghtab Construction insisted that they didn't know anything. "I am currently abroad… I heard there was something in parlia- ment but I don't know anything else," Deguara said. Baldacchino said that he had no comment to make, while Sciber- ras said he was not aware of any- thing. Questions sent to Skanska re- mained unanswered by the time of going to print. The inquiry stated that the responsibility and contractual liability for the fail- ures identified in the technical reports compiled by Innovative Architecture Structures and Ove Arup ultimately lie with Skanska JV. The technical analysis carried out categorically indicated that the discrepancy in the concrete strength specified in the contract – from C30 to C18 – was not a consequence of normal wear and tear or bad maintenance, "but is rather the consequence of sub- standard material used in the site, and bad workmanship". The inquiry concluded that the report be sent to the Attorney General and Police Commission- er, among others, after concluding that "widespread failing uncov- ered by the present day technical reports indicate that the pervasive weak concrete found in the site is a result of intended fraudulent ac- tions". "Moreover, the Board is left with a distinct impression that events as they transpired were not the fruit of coincidence or providence but seem to indicate an element of concertation and direction," the inquiry report reads. Tests carried out by contractor The board discovered that most of the tests on the quality of con- crete were carried out by the contractor himself with a small sample being tested by the Kor- din facility of the Works Division. It transpired that only one out of every five tests was carried out by the Works Division. "The board has enough evidence to determine that the tests pro- vided by the contractor are fraud- ulent. […] Considering the extent of the defective concrete found on site, it is evident that such defect could not be a result of genuine mistake or failure of oversight, but must have been the result of a concerted effort from which the contractor, suppliers and possibly third parties benefitted." It transpired that a number of tests were rubberstamped by Blokrete Ltd but the inquiry could not be certain that Blokrete Ltd it- self and its officials were directly involved or the perpetrators. The inquiry traced and reviewed extensive concrete tests spanning the months from January to Sep- tember 1996. A senior technical officer at the Works Division said that the samples were not taken by Works Division officials but were deliv- maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 3 JUNE 2015 News Concrete suppliers deny any knowledge Scathing inquiry report finds 'intended fraudulent actions' • Structural reviewer speaks of 'bad workmanship', 'could see corruption' Bastjan Dalli – said he was never a subcontractor to Mater Dei Mater Dei Hospital - these days not curing, but causing, headaches