Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/573382
Saviour Balzan SkanSka, the Swedish engineering giant that bills itself as the world's leading con- struction group, has told attorney General Peter Grech it will not meet him to discuss the Maltese government's claims for damages on foundation works on Mater Dei hospital. In a letter to Grech, Skanska ruled out any responsibility on the Mater Dei works – re- cently the subject of an inquiry over faulty cement foundations – saying that "SMJV (Skanksa-Malta Joint Venture) cannot be held liable for alleged defects." Six years since the opening of the €700 mil- lion state-of-the-art hospital, weak cement foundations were discovered by government architects, prompting urgent repairs to pre- vent a possible collapse of the accident and emergency department. In its letter, SMJV made specific reference to the 'escape' clause in a closure agreement signed by the Foundation for Medical Serv- ices (FMS) in 2009. The clause explicitly exonerated SMJV from any liabilities, claims or disputes. ann-Marie Hedbeck, general counsel to Skanska, ended her letter, which MaltaToday has seen, stating: "… it is Skanska's opinion that the proposed meeting with the attor- ney General would not be productive at this stage." The meeting was requested when the seri- ous and potentially fatal shortcomings at the hos- pital were discovered. Newspaper post YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.mALTATODAY.COm.mT maltatoday SUNDAY • 20 September 2015 • iSSue 828 • publiShed every wedneSday and Sunday US ambassador on bid to get Status of Forces Agreement in Malta 15 14 PAGE 3 Gina Abercrombie Winstanley PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCOIS CASINI/MSF Hunters: 'We can beat Brussels again' €1.40 6 Perici Calascione claims EU challenge on trapping is winnable MOTORING Five-page supplement inside 41 •46 Skanska snubs government over hospital damage claims Over 4,500 refugees rescued off Libya in one day Evidence of stab wounds PG3 Busuttil: removing crime of religious vilification 'threat to national security' MiriaM Dalli a far-reaching legal reform that will strike off criminal sanctions on the vilification of religion "poses a seri- ous threat to the nation's security", Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has claimed. The Pn leader was addressing sup- porters in Valletta as part of Inde- pendence Day activities. "Because of Joseph Muscat's need to appear liberal and progressive, the government is taking changes to the extremes," he told party faithful gathered in Valletta for Independ- ence celebrations. "Everyone knows what's happening around us and what happens when people's beliefs are taken to the extreme. What worries me is that Muscat's stance will create a nation- al threat. What happens if someone hot-headed decides to take matters in his own hands?" PAGE 4