Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/551192
6 TIM DIACONO A permanent board has been set up to rule on complaints against concessions granted by minis- tries to private companies. Complaints on concession con- tracts had previously been dealt with by ad hoc boards. However, a recently-published legal notice grants the new board the power to review adjudication processes that culminate in the awarding of a concession con- tract. If it rules that the adjudication board's decision was not in line with the law or with the docu- mentation governing the pro- curement procedure, then it will have the power to declare the en- tire procurement procedure null and void. The board will be chaired by law yer Philip Magri, with Stephen Young and former trans- port minister Jesmond Mugli- ett making up the numbers. All three were appointed directly by the Prime Minister for a three- year period that cannot be re- newed. They will have to declare any possible personal interest they have in a case under review, in which case they will be forbidden from participating in the hearing of that case, allowing the Prime Minister to appoint a substitute board member. The Prime Minister will also be able to sack the board mem- bers on the grounds of "proven inability" to perform the office's functions. Aggrieved parties will only be allowed to file a complaint to the board within 10 days of the min- istry's announcement of a con- cession deal. Complaints must be accompanied by a deposit of between €1,200 and €58,000. Government bodies will there- fore have to wait 10 days after an announcement before actually awarding the concession con- tract to a private company. If a complaint is submitted during this 10-day period, then the gov- ernment body must wait until the board reaches a decision. If the government body con- cludes the contract before the 10-day period or before the board gives its final decision, then the board will have the power to nul- lif y the contract. Parties will be able to challenge the board in the Court of Appeal on a point of law within 10 days of the board's final decision. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2015 News Mediterranean route 'deadliest' for migrants Over 2,000 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean sea this year so far MIRIAM DALLI OVER 2,000 migrants have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, confirming this as the deadli- est route for migrants in search of a better life, the International Organisation for Migration said yesterday. In the same period last year, 1,607 migrants perished. A total of 3,279 lost their lives in 2014. As in 2014, the overwhelming majority died in the Channel of Sicily on the Central Mediterra- nean route connecting Libya and Italy, where unseaworthy vessels used by smugglers and traffickers significantly increase the likeli- hood of tragedies occurring. Statistics suggest that the Cen- tral Mediterranean route is far more dangerous than others. While Italy and Greece have this year experienced similar in- flows of migrants (approximately 97,000 and 90,500 respectively), the death rates are very different. Approximately 1,930 people lost their lives trying to reach Italy, but only about 60 died trying to reach Greece. The latest tragic loss of life which took the total number of deaths past 2,000 took place last week when a total of 19 people lost their lives in the Sicily Chan- nel. The remains of 14 of the mi- grants were brought to the Sicil- ian port of Messina on July 29 by the Irish Navy ship Le Niamh. They were part of a larger group of 456 people rescued at sea. According to IOM staff in southern Italy, who interviewed the survivors, the engine of the boat in which they were travel- ling overheated and the drinking water on board had to be used to cool it. Fourteen migrants subse- quently died of heat exhaustion and thirst. "It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people fleeing from conflict, persecutions, misery and land degradation must endure such terrible experiences in their home countries, not to mention en route, and then die on Europe's doorstep," IOM Director General William Lacy Swing said. Despite these tragedies, IOM said it recognized the extraordi- nary efforts of maritime forces in the Mediterranean, who continue to save migrants at sea on a daily basis. "Loss of life has been greatly re- duced in recent months and this is largely due to the enhancement of the Triton operation, which can now count on more vessels patrolling international waters, where most migrants run into difficulties," it said. Approximately 188,000 mi- grants have been rescued in the Mediterranean so far this year and IOM strongly supports the continuation of this level of re- sponse. The organization be- lieves that more migrants will at- tempt to reach European shores as the summer progresses, and the 200,000 mark will be reached very soon. Some 188,000 migrants have been rescued in the Mediterranean so far this year Permanent board to rule on concession complaints Jesmond Mugliett