Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/616203
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2015 5 News Beneficiary failed to disclose purchase of three properties CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 None of this information was declared by the claimant as per applica- tion dated 2012 and no changes in circumstances were declared thereafter. Meanwhile, during 2014, the claimant received pay- ments from MFSS amounting to €8,201. Following NAO's test- ing, DSS stopped the claimant's benefit payments whilst investi- gating further. The NAO recommended that the department formalises the procedure surrounding the fil- ing of applications, as well as their assessment, to ensure a uniform approach in relation to all applications received. "It is important that officers within DSS obtain corrobora- tive evidence to sustain the dec- larations made by the applicant. This may include, but should not be limited to, the applicant's TP together with other legal and financial documentation." The department said it is hold- ing regular meetings with the Management Efficiency Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister, to further tap cases of fraud by conducting thorough assessments at an early applica- tion stage. Preparations are under- way with the Malta Information Technol- ogy Agency (MITA) so as to set up an online application framework, which will lead to uni- formity during the ap- plication process. Assessments Whenever an individual requests financial assist- ance from the depart- ment, an application form is to be filled and submit- ted for assessment. The ap- plicant is bound to declare all the relevant details at application stage, including details of members within the same household, bank account details, property and vehicle ownership, and inform the department of any changes thereafter. At the evaluation stage, the as- sessor will determine whether the applicant is eligible for assistance, based on the given declaration. However, when the informa- tion required is not fully avail- able, the assessor may request further details from the appli- cant. The NAO noted that the dec- laration by the applicant is taken as given, and at this stage, no further assessment is made by the department to ascertain that the information is complete and ref lects the actual claim- ant's position or status. In fact, during the year under review, no formal procedure was in place requiring third party confirmation to be ob- tained at the evaluation stage in order to corroborate the declaration given by the ap- plicant. Although the facility to retrieve bank and employ- ment details directly from Social Assistance and Ben- efits System exists, in most of the cases tested, no evidence was traced in the re- spective files showing that such information was extracted for verification of claims submitted by claimants. Preparations are under- Whenever an individual requests financial assist- ance from the depart- ment, an application form is to be filled and submit- ted for assessment. The ap- plicant is bound to declare all the relevant details at application stage, including details of members within the same household, bank account details, property and assistance, based on the given declaration. laration by the applicant is taken as given, and at this stage, no further assessment is made by the department to ascertain that the information is complete and ref lects the actual claim- ant's position or status. In fact, during the year under review, no formal procedure was in place requiring third party confirmation to be ob- tained at the evaluation stage in order to corroborate the declaration given by the ap- plicant. Although the facility to retrieve bank and employ- ment details directly from Social Assistance and Ben- efits System exists, in most of the cases tested, no evidence was traced in the re- spective files showing that such information was extracted for Libyan unity government 'can be formed' MIRIAM DALLI THE leaders of Libya's rival parlia- ments rejected the UN deal for a unity government but pledged to solve the crisis afflicting their oil- rich country. Speaking in Valletta following a surprise meeting at the Prime Minis- ter's Office in Valletta, the president of the internationally recognised Libyan House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh Issa, and the president of the Islamist-controlled General National Congress, Nuri Abusah- min insisted that a government of national unity "can be formed". "We want to form a unity gov- ernment but we don't want it to be enforced from the outside. This government must be agreed to by all the Libyan people. We don't want an [outside] intervention if this comes against the will of our people," Issa said in clear reference to the UN brokered deal. On his part, Abusahmin said that the two sides had agreed on many points, including a commitment to fight terrorism. "The talks are not about the GNC or the House of Representatives but about unifying the country. We agreed on national points and we stand against terrorism. We are proud to be members of the United Nations," Abusahmin said. He add- ed that Sharia law "is the one we will hold on to". Starting tomorrow, a number of committees will meet to pave the way for a government of national unity. "Details" such as how a new par- liament will be formed will be discussed during these meetings. "Good results are expected," they added. "We ask our people to be patient for the sake of Libya. All the people and the world want stability in Lib- ya… we tell them that this problem will be solved," Issa said. Delivering a strong message to the Libyan people that "a solution will be found", Abusahmin said that those who obstruct dialogue "will be punished". The two leaders had words of thanks for the Maltese government for giving them the opportunity to meet in Malta. Abdusahmin said that they will listen to the "elite leaders in Libya" and the people. He urged the inter- national community to take note of the progress made to give them the space to set up a government of na- tional unity that is "effective". They also reiterated that the work of the UN mission in Libya is about supporting and facilitating an agreement. Libya's rival factions have given themselves just two days to reach a UN-backed national unity government agreement designed to end their conflict. The target date was agreed on un- der the auspices of UN envoy Martin Kobler, who has met with represent- atives of the two rival parliaments of Tobruk and Tripoli. A deal was close several times over the past year of UN-brokered talks but has always fallen at the final hur- dle. The UN says forming a unified Libyan government is a precondi- tion for tackling the Libyan branch of ISIS, which has profited from the chaos in Libya to build a position there. Marsaskala mayor 'bargained' a €400,000 investment for local council GABRIEL SCHEMBRI THE Sadeen Group, which plans to set up the American Univer- sity of Malta partly at Zonqor Point in Marsaskala, is to con- tribute €400,000 in projects for the locality's local council. Mayor Mario Calleja made the point while presenting a motion at the local council meeting yes- terday. "Should MEPA approve the building of the American Uni- versity in Zonqor, are we going to accept Sadeen's offer to build new premises for the local coun- cil? If not, then let's make it clear that, in the name of our commu- nity, we are refusing €400,000," he told the meeting. At the heated council meeting, Calleja denied having accepted 'gifts' from Sadeen Group and insisted that the meetings he had with the group's CEO were not held in secret, as claimed in the media. Calleja is under investigation by the Local Governance Board fol- lowing reports that he accepted community infrastructure 'gifts' from Sadeen. Following these re- ports, he had said "I will take what I can. Otherwise, how are we go- ing to build our new premises without the funds? We did what everyone else would do. There's nothing wrong with this." "When I was informed of the meeting with Sadeen, I told the council secretary to inform all councillors. This was not a secret meeting at all because I did not meet them alone," he said. He said the meeting was "very fruitful" because the group's rep- resentatives clearly explained to the local council what they had in mind. Calleja said it was only logical that he bargained for projects in Marsascala. Road works in Triq il-Blajjiet, a new drainage system and new lava- tories were among the projects which the mayor proposed to Sadeen to help in. Deputy mayor Desiree Attard asked the mayor if he saw any problem with asking an investor to build the new local council premises. Calleja replied that the problem would have arisen if he had not asked for this. "We even went there with the blue prints in hand. It was our card to play." Attard explained that on the day they met with Sadeen, she was present and once the meet- ing was over she left. However, she said that some councillors and the mayor stayed on to speak with Sadeen. Also with them was an official from the Office of the Prime Minister, Alex Saliba, she added. The deputy mayor said she had left the meeting because she was sure that it had been concluded. The mayor expressed anger at media reports which claimed that he was bribed by the Sadeen Group. He accused PN councillor Char- lo Cassar with leaking informa- tion and false stories to the me- dia, which Charlo Cassar denied, calling for a formal apology. Desiree Attard said the local council should also discuss the actual location of where the new local council premises should be built. The mayor's motion was ap- proved. Marascala deputy mayor Desiree Attard (left) listens attentively to mayor Mario Calleja (right) during yesterday's heated meeting PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD